Will Disney know what accomdations need to be made or do you need to ask for them?

[Ember]

I am a kindergarten teacher with a student with fragile x. His mom is planning a Disney trip and as I'm a known Disney nut she came to ask me for help.

I told her about the GAC but I really don't know a lot about it other then where to get it. Will she be able to just say "My child has fragile x syndrome," and the CM will know what accommodations need to be made for that? Or does she specifically need to say, "We can't wait in normal lines," etc?

My concern is that I'm not sure how to predict what situations her child will and will not be able to handle, so I'm not sure how to advise her what to ask for...

Any help would be appreciated. By both of us.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am a kindergarten teacher with a student with fragile x. His mom is planning a Disney trip and as I'm a known Disney nut she came to ask me for help.

I told her about the GAC but I really don't know a lot about it other then where to get it. Will she be able to just say "My child has fragile x syndrome," and the CM will know what accommodations need to be made for that? Or does she specifically need to say, "We can't wait in normal lines," etc?

My concern is that I'm not sure how to predict what situations her child will and will not be able to handle, so I'm not sure how to advise her what to ask for...

Any help would be appreciated. By both of us.

The CMs are not medical people, so saying "My child has fragile x syndrome" won't really tell them anything about his needs.
Also, saying "We can't wait in normal lines" doesn't tell the CMs a lot about what he needs.
She will need to be able to explain what about the lines would be a problem for him. She doesn't need to know what to ask for; when she explains his needs, they will know what sorts of accommodations will meet those needs.
Check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread; that should help you to know what to tell her. Post #6 is all about GACs.

Post #3 has links to information and past threads that should be helpful. There are several links about autism that may be especially helpful because many of the needs would probably be similar to his needs.

 

[Ember]

I will print the information and give it to the mom. Thank you for the direction.

 

[mechurchlady]

I learn so much on this site and researched Fragile X Syndrome just now so here is somethings she needs to look for in the FAQs.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713

Have her check anything that says autism. Even if something is not your label still look as one disorder may have tips that can help you. The autism threads have lots of tips to help parents of kids with mental limitations and neurovariations. Also make sure the kid has good shoes as FXS people tend to have flat feet so the shoes can make or break the vacation.

Also common is sensory issues so check that out on threads. Special diets can make special meals if the child is sensitive to foods like picky eater or on a special diet. Ear muffs help with sound sensitive kids as well as kids who hyperstimulate on things around them. Strollers and pushchairs can insulate a child from crowds and a GAC as a Wheelchair tag would be used if the stroller is used. If the child is a runner then use a harness and leash. There is more but with Fragile X Syndrome it is not one set of things but a myriad of things that can be wrong with a child and two kids can almost be opposites like one will crave touching and hugs while another avoids all contact. Autism and SID are a couple other things where no two people are alike.

http://www.fragilex.org/html/autism_and_fragile_x_syndrome.htm

hgus
Laurie
Happy Easter
Wow what a nice teacher you are.