What am I forgetting? Gac question

[berries]

What all do I need to tel the CM for the GAC?

Dd can get aggressive. I worry about her standing in long lines close to other people. She can get out of control quickly due to noise volume, people too close to her, someone bumping her. Sounds like I shouldn't be taking her because WDW is crowded with long lines. That is one reason I want to ensure she can stay in the stroller in lines to give her a bit of personal space.

She can also get very loud, screaming when upset. The reason I am worried about the flight there.

She tends to run away when upset. Fight or flight is her common responses. I never know what might set her off. She is doing better at this as before I was afraid if people just looked at her!

Waiting is always hard for her. She has little patience and wants to go/ be first at everything.

I prefer sitting near an exit or aisle seat at shows so we can leave quickly if we need to.

She can be sensitive to touch as well. I always recommend people to let dd touch them first before ever hugging/touching her.

Is this what I should tell the CM at WDW? Or worded differently? Could you also let me know how the GAC is worn? Dd tends to lose things often esp when she is meltng down. they fall off and we don't notice. I do have a lanyard for her but I don't know how long that will last or if she will refuse to wear it after a bit.

Thank you

 

[Schmeck]

You just need to tell the CM what you just told us.

You can carry the GAC, your daughter does not need to be 'tagged' with it.

A GAC may not shorten your wait in line. I believe it's even printed on the info that it is not meant to shorten waits. Using a GAC can actually make your wait much longer, as only a certain number of guests using a GAC can be allowed on an attraction at one time (safety/evacuation/fire code). Your best bet to avoid lines is to get to the park at rope drop and use FastPass as much as possible.

Getting a GAC to use a stroller as a wheelchair (allowed queues) would be your best bet.

 

[SueM in MN]

Agree with Schmeck.
You tell them what our needs are and they will figure out what will help you to handle them. The biggest help will be having the stroller in lines because it will deal with pretty much all the issues your DD has.

And, as was already mentioned, you or your child do not have to wear the GAC. Just put it somewhere that you can get it out easily when you need it. Some people wear the GAC on a lanyard around their neck, but that is not required. Many people carry it in a pocket or specific place in the front of their purse.
Also, they often put a tag (sort of like a baggage tag) onto the strollers that are being used as wheelchairs. When the CM at the line entrance seems that tag/sticker, they know your stroller is being used as a wheelchair and they don't need to see the GAC to let the stroller in.

 

[berries]

Thank you both! I am taking down notes so I don't forget to tlel the CM something that might help dd.

from what I hear Feb was really crowded, I hope we are going at a less crowded time. Maybe most everyone went in Feb this year and the crowds won't be so bad.

 

[SueM in MN]

February is crowded around the President's day weekend. A lot of people take a trip either before or after that weekend because they can take a number of days off on a row without taking vacation or taking their kids out of school. Otherwise February and the beginning of March are usually quiet.

 

[dclfun]

If you're issued a GAC ( stroller as w/c for example) and then find that your needs aren't met, you can return to GS and explain that it isn't working and see if they have other suggestions. Using the stroller though is a great idea, and one that other parents have said worked well for them to offer a protected personal space. You might want to label any personal items with a name/resort name/and or phone # in case it is lost. Everything that's turned in though goes to a central lost/found- most people do return things they find, but we've lost things before that stayed lost- including, of all things, Christmas Mickey ears for my SD. Having a name or identifier on something you don't want to lose for good at least alerts the finder that the item is important enough to you that you took the time to ID it and maybe will remind them that it once belonged to someone else and it's not "finders keepers". ----Kathy

 

[Tyler'smom]

Have you tried a picture schedule for DD My DS10 is autistic We use to picture schedule to explain things to him they are just simple photographs to let them know what is coming up next. Example You can show them a picture of people waiting in line and then another picture of the ride you are waiting for.
I work in a special needs classroom and we use picture schedule all the time for different settings.
Another suggestion is a Social story Where you write a story book about DD and what she would be experiencing.....If you need further help explaining this let me know
Hope this helps

Thanks Tyler's Mom
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