WDW With Neice Who Has Downs?

[mushumadness]

Hiya

We leave for wdw in just over a month, we are going with my brothers family,

My neice whos 13 has down syndrome, she is not able to speak, and is about the size of a 5/6 year old.

I am wondering how its going to be at wdw with her, she is disney mad and can act out all the movies, (one of her greatest loves)

She is able to walk short distances, the rest of the time she has a special made purple wheel chair.

The last time we took her to wdw she was only 4, and we had real problems with pre shows, she has problems with people being too close to her that she doesnt know.

I know last time we went she had a card to use a disabeled entrance, is there still such a thing?

Also Chris and I are taking her to mnsshp (she is very much into disney halloween movies right now) and we are eating at ltt before hand (her sister chose) now is there any way of requesting a certain thing for her, as her digestion is not great and she only eats a limited amount of things,? chickn nuggets she can just about manage, yet she cant swallow mash or cut meats.

Any help appreciated,

 

[momrek06]

OP: First of all to the entire family. I really am only going to give you a quick suggestion....years ago my son was in a terrible fire at (of all places) boy scout camp. He burnt his right leg from basically the ankle to the top of the thigh, while the scouts finally got the fire out before it hit his "privates"...it was bad. We had a WDW trip planned. Thankfully, it was 3 months later. My son had to learn to walk again. It was a mess...BUT he is ALIVE.

ANYWAY, I called WDW and spoke to people there and told them about my son and his needs and they instructed me exactly what I would need from my physician as far as notes to bring to the WORLD.

We did that and we were able to BY PASS allot of those pre-shows and walk right on to the actual ride.

Call WDW!

 

[SueM in MN]

ANYWAY, I called WDW and spoke to people there and told them about my son and his needs and they instructed me exactly what I would need from my physician as far as notes to bring to the WORLD.

We did that and we were able to BY PASS allot of those pre-shows and walk right on to the actual ride.

Call WDW!

That might have been the way it was years ago, but you don't need a note any more.

Check out the information about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs) in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. It should answer most of your questions about GACs.
If you do bring a letter from the doctor, keep in mind that the CMs might not want to see it. Be prepared to talk about what her needs are and what things might be helpful to her (not what her diagnoses are).

Many attractions don't actually have a handicapped entrance any more. The lines were made wheelchair accessible. In some attractions you can bypass the preshow; at others, that is not possible because of how the atraction is accessed - ask the CM at the ride.
For many shows and movies, people using wheelchairs are waiting in the same preshow room, but in an area off to the side. I posted something about those waiting areas in this thread (post 15).

 

[Forevryoung]

I am an adult who has an anxiety disorder that makes waiting in crowds nearly impossible at times- I panic and have my own wonderful meltdowns.

Besides using fastpass and a touring plan (two huge helps to avoiding crowds), I can give you a short list of rides/lines that I personally needed to use a GAC on just as a heads up- not that your niece will have a similar problem. I am sure the wheelchair will also help keep her personal space to an extent (I have also been to Disney with a 10 year old who uses a wheelchair).

PM me if you have any questions-
Kate

 

[finz2left]

Hi there!

I just returned from the National Down Syndrome Conference, so I was thrilled to see your post.

Here is my take, it sounds like your neice has multiple disabilities, not just Down syndrome. Most individuals with DS are completely verbal by her age, and few to none use wheelchairs. In fact, most with DS would need no accomodations at WDW, if we are to be honest -- though some take them -- it's not always needed. However, in your case, it seems like there are other, important needs that need accomodation. Rather than ask for a GAC for "Down syndrome" you should explain her multiple support needs -- such as use of a wheel chair, sensory issues, etc. If you just say DS, you are likely to be told no. Make sense?

Great luck and have an awesome time with your neice. I"m sure this trip will be truly magical!

 

[SueM in MN]

Rather than ask for a GAC for "Down syndrome" you should explain her multiple support needs -- such as use of a wheel chair, sensory issues, etc. If you just say DS, you are likely to be told no. Make sense?

Great luck and have an awesome time with your neice. I"m sure this trip will be truly magical!

GACs are not given for diagnosis at all because people with the same diagnosis can have very different needs. If the OP was to go in and ask for a GAC for DS, she would be aasked what the needs were.
(In fact, people are not protected by the ADA because of their diagnosis, but because of the needs related to that diagnosis. Accomidations follow needs.)

If just bringing her wheelchair into lines with her met her needs, she would not need a GAC. The CMs can see what is needed just from seeing the wheelchair.
She sounds like she has other needs that just having a wheelchair won't help with. So, for those, you have to be able to explain the needs to the CM when requesting the GAC.

 

[SandrainNC]

Hi! I just wanted to say I hope you have a great trip! My son also has Down syndrome and has been twice to WDW. He is 5, so I don't know a lot about children who are older. All children with Down syndrome are so different (just like all children are different) and it sounds like your niece has some extra things going on (with needing a wheelchair and all). I think the GAC will help out a lot and like Sue said, tell them she needs it for the sensory issues and walking instead of the DS. I have never gotten the pass since my son doesn't have the walking and sensory issues. Just the impatient issues!

Good luck and have fun!!

Sandra