What qualifies for DAS?

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

Hi,
I'm wondering if my 5 year old son could qualify for DAS. I'm leaning toward not, but I want to see what you all think.

He doesn't have any official medical diagnosis, but he was evaluated by a physical therapist and occupational therapist who both verbally told me that he might have low muscle tone, though they didn't write this down in their reports. The PT did say he has the strength of a 3 year old, but he doesn't qualify for free services. Basically he gets tired easily and doesn't like a lot of physical activity. So I've heard about getting a stroller as a wheelchair pass. How do you get that? If I bring a double stroller, how would that work in the lines? I imagine some lines are narrower than the stroller.

Also, he has a lot of trouble with lines longer than 15 minutes. Last summer he had a huge meltdown at a local theme park near us and had to be taken out of a 20 minute line when we were near the end of it. He doesn't have any diagnosed issue (like ADHD, sensory disorder, etc.) Even though I feel confident he has a sensory processing disorder he never qualifies for anything. (He has a short attention span, chews on things constantly, hates loud noises, is addicted to screens.) So I have no paperwork other than the section in his evaluation including parental comments on his behavior. He really liked all his test takers and the special attention/tasks they gave him so performed well on his evaluations, but I know he would struggle to wait in lines.

Do you think there's any way he could get a DAS pass? We plan to buy genie, but I know that will only work for a few rides a day. Thanks for any advice.

Edit: Thanks for the replies. We will get the stroller as wheelchair pass but not try for DAS. I will have him help me choose activities he can use in the stroller while we wait in long lines.

 

[lanejudy]

You do not need documented "diagnosis" to obtain DAS. You will have to explain to the CM what are your son's needs and challenges related to waiting in a standard queue environment. Nobody online can tell you if he would qualify or not.

I agree with the suggestion of the stroller-as-wheelchair. Stop by Guest Relations when you get to the park and request it. They'll tag a double-stroller.

The PT did say he has the strength of a 3 year old, but he doesn't qualify for free services. Basically he gets tired easily and doesn't like a lot of physical activity.

Just an unsolicited comment here... he gets tired because he doesn't like physical activity, and he doesn't like physical activity because it makes him tired -- the 2 feed off each other. Make sure you aren't inadvertently contributing to this by accommodating him (in general, not related to WDW). Find something he does enjoy - be that a climbing structure at a local playground, backyard swingset and slide, toy golf or baseball set, one of those push-tricycles, etc. And make that part of your daily routine. Maybe it's only 5 minutes the first day, but gradually build up time spent on the activity. Maybe just a walk to the corner, gradually building up to a walk around the block; no stroller until you reach a certain point along the way. If there is a younger sibling who needs the stroller, use a single so he has to walk more. He's old enough to earn stars on a chart, with a prize when it's filled. It's easy to slip into complacency to avoid the whining and arguments, especially when there is a documented reason like low muscle tone; but don't let that be an excuse for not encouraging more activity and gaining strength. It can take years to build up but he'll be so much better for it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Agree with lanejudy

Getting a stroller as wheelchair tag is separate from getting DAS.
Some people need both DAS and stroller as wheelchair; for others the stroller as wheelchair meets their needs without also using DAS.
Beside a place to sit, using a stroller as wheelchair provides a ‘safe haven’ for a child who may need some separation in line.

Chewing things meets a need for some children and can help with anxiety/sensory. You might want to consider chewy necklaces for him - search for things ‘chew toys for children’ or ‘sensory oral chew’. Amazon has quite a few.
He might also like fidget toys - search for ‘pop toys fidget’.

You might also want to consider ‘ear protectors’ or ear plugs to help with sound. There are many on Amazon, but these Peltor brand ones are the ones I see most in the parks. They are pretty lightweight snd kids often decorate theirs with stickers. There are some that are battery operated noise cancelling earphones - they are heavier and you need to keep them ready with battery power.

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

Thank you. I do make him do some daily physical activity. He often resists it, but he's starting to enjoy some things more. Unfortunately he hates all chewelry/chew toys and prefers softer things like his clothes, stuffed animals, and paper. Good thinking on the ear protector. We actually have one. I will have to look for it. Maybe the stroller as wheelchair will be enough.

 

[mistysue]

lanejudy's advice is really so important. My son was born with a host of non-diagnosed issues that were quite serious- the most pressing being low muscle tone. In our case it was bad enough he couldn't sit until he was over 2 years old, we were told he would never walk, which took until he was 3, etc.
At 11 years old it isn't "gone" - but through years of just pushing him a little at a time he can get a little over 3 miles in a day.

I definitely recommend asking for a stroller/wheelchair pass. Maybe even rent one of the cozier strollers if yours is basic (I'm too cheap to have a $500 stroller at home!) since it will give a place to hide. During a line he could be in there, canopy drawn, with comfort toys completely ignoring the surroundings.

At the same time, it sounds mean at first but make him work for that stroller time within his limits. Now that we're out of the stroller we let my son get a rental wheelchair before he collapses but the last thing we do is go rent the thing at the start of the day. We used to park the stroller and refuse to get it until later. Muscle builds up slowly, it can take years to do things others take for granted but they will NEVER come if he never works for it. I am not saying to be cruel to him; honestly sometimes the true cruelty is when we cater too much. Maybe you could make the stroller a "lines only" device as a compromise.
Yes, we get looks for the in and out of the wheelchair game and people are going to judge but sometimes that's the price we pay for the advantage of only half way needing something.

 

[mistysue]

Also as a thought-
This sounds completely insane but you mentioned a bit of a screen addiction. We bought a small walking treadmill and put it in the prime spot in front of our TV. At about 1-1.5 mph it's not stressful, so you can focus on a show or even on a laptop while constantly being in motion.

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

Also as a thought-
This sounds completely insane but you mentioned a bit of a screen addiction. We bought a small walking treadmill and put it in the prime spot in front of our TV. At about 1-1.5 mph it's not stressful, so you can focus on a show or even on a laptop while constantly being in motion.

That's interesting...

 

[Lilsia]

I also wanted to give some support and let you know that kids not handling a line is totally normal for toddlers. Many toddlers can not tolerate the waits, we just sometimes need to be creative with our distractions. I didn't want you to feel that you are alone in your toddler struggles. My youngest cried when we were in line for Dumbo, as soon as we got on it, she loved it. And then started crying again because she didn't want to get off. LOL But I would be pretty concerned about the amount of screen time a child that age is exposed to. That alone can change their behavior.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Thank you. I do make him do some daily physical activity. He often resists it, but he's starting to enjoy some things more. Unfortunately he hates all chewelry/chew toys and prefers softer things like his clothes, stuffed animals, and paper. Good thinking on the ear protector. We actually have one. I will have to look for it. Maybe the stroller as wheelchair will be enough.

Personally, I would try stroller as a wheelchair first and see how that goes. It could be that he reacts badly to waiting because of the fatigue, and if that doesn’t alleviate it, you can always ask for the DAS.

Having said that, very few 5 year olds do well in long lines, so although no diagnosis is necessary for DAS, I wouldn’t assume he has some kind of disability just because he doesn’t like waiting in lines. Most 5 year olds could qualify for DAS if that were the case.

 

[danceintherain]

I would definitely get a stroller as a wheelchair pass. If you need a double, then front to back one may be a better option for maneuverability. But, the width limit for wheelchairs for use on Disney transportation is 32 inches. There are several side by side strollers that fit within that limit. It really depends on how big your child is by then. Most double strollers only accommodate children up to 50 lbs. My 5 year old is already 45 lbs.

If the stroller solves the issues, then he won't qualify for DAS. If it does not, then you'll just need to explain exactly what he needs that requires him to wait somewhere else to ride. No diagnosis required. If there is another option to accommodate him, they will offer that. If not, then they will sign him up for DAS.

 

[danceintherain]

I would definitely get a stroller as a wheelchair pass. If you need a double, then front to back one may be a better option for maneuverability. But, the width limit for wheelchairs for use on Disney transportation is 32 inches. There are several side by side strollers that fit within that limit. It really depends on how big your child is by then. Most double strollers only accommodate children up to 50 lbs. My 5 year old is already 45 lbs.

If the stroller solves the issues, then he won't qualify for DAS. If it does not, then you'll just need to explain exactly what he needs that requires him to wait somewhere else to ride. No diagnosis required. If there is another option to accommodate him, they will offer that. If not, then they will sign him up for DAS.

Also, my 5 year old throws fits for any waiting at all. That's pretty typical. Any ride in the car is "forever." I expect he will be quite upset waiting in lines at Disney. He will also be frustrated having to walk any distances without some kind of immediate obvious gratification. He's absolutely addicted to screen time. If he's tired or hungry, his reactions get worse. It's exhausting, but his development is essentially typical.

 

[mistysue]

I would definitely get a stroller as a wheelchair pass. If you need a double, then front to back one may be a better option for maneuverability. But, the width limit for wheelchairs for use on Disney transportation is 32 inches. There are several side by side strollers that fit within that limit. It really depends on how big your child is by then. Most double strollers only accommodate children up to 50 lbs. My 5 year old is already 45 lbs.

If the stroller solves the issues, then he won't qualify for DAS. If it does not, then you'll just need to explain exactly what he needs that requires him to wait somewhere else to ride. No diagnosis required. If there is another option to accommodate him, they will offer that. If not, then they will sign him up for DAS.

I'll admit it's been a bit since I cared but I recall some having a per child limit and some having a combined limit. Either way that is a good number to double check while considering all of this. If the 2nd child is little sometimes that can gift us bonus time with double stroller strategies.
Disney also has size restrictions, anything that is allowed into the park is going to fit through the lines. (regarding the width of doubles)

 

[TwoMisfits]

Since you wanted an answer, if you tell Disney what you told us above, they are unlikely to offer you a DAS until they see proof in the park that your child is doing worse than other typical 5 year olds.

They will almost certainly give you the stroller-as-wheelchair pass.

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

Since you wanted an answer, if you tell Disney what you told us above, they are unlikely to offer you a DAS until they see proof in the park that your child is doing worse than other typical 5 year olds.

They will almost certainly give you to stroller-as-wheelchair pass.

Thanks, I will ask for the stroller pass.

 

[lanejudy]

the width limit for wheelchairs for use on Disney transportation is 32 inches

The size limit for strollers is 31” wide x 52” long. All strollers must be folded on the buses and some boats. I forget if the Skyliner makes you fold it, maybe for doubles.

 

[SteveMouse]

Personally, I would try stroller as a wheelchair first and see how that goes. It could be that he reacts badly to waiting because of the fatigue, and if that doesn’t alleviate it, you can always ask for the DAS.

Having said that, very few 5 year olds do well in long lines, so although no diagnosis is necessary for DAS, I wouldn’t assume he has some kind of disability just because he doesn’t like waiting in lines. Most 5 year olds could qualify for DAS if that were the case.

50 year olds don’t like waiting much, either- growing older, but not up.

 

[jo-jo]

If you got a stroller as wheelchair tag, could your child watch something/play a game while in line?

Maybe work on those longer walks, and only use stroller/ screen time in lines.

 

[JenLovesMM]

someone gave a good suggestion regarding a treadmill in a spot near a screen. We did something similar with a mini round trampoline when he was younger (also had issue building muscle, just not as much as you described). My son is a teen now and to this day he'll often jump on it if watching TV.

 

[danceintherain]

The size limit for strollers is 31” wide x 52” long. All strollers must be folded on the buses and some boats. I forget if the Skyliner makes you fold it, maybe for doubles.

Even if the stroller has a wheelchair tag?

 

[SteveMouse]

Even if the stroller has a wheelchair tag?

“Stroller as wheelchair” is only valid within the parks. It has no bearing on Disney transportation outside of the theme parks (Disney buses, boats, monorails, etc.)