[iluvwdw]

My soon to be 7 year old DS is on the Autism Spectrum...he has Aspergers Disorder. He also has ADHD. Since 2006, we have been getting the Guest Assistance Pass from Guest Relations when we enter the park. We carry it with us for the duration of our trip. When we need it, we show the pass and are able to enter the FastPass entrance to a line, without having to worry about actually getting FPs. If there is no FastPass, they will take us to an alternate entrance. This has made trips to WDW MUCH more enjoyable.

[12Amigos]

Originally Posted by tea

I think I will have problems getting my DD to keep them on (she is 6). She does not really care for things on her head. I got them anyway and from the reviews I have read about headsets really small kids don't mind them. I hope she makes the link!

Good luck with that! Enjoy the fireworks for me too.

[12Amigos]

Originally Posted by iluvwdw

My soon to be 7 year old DS is on the Autism Spectrum...he has Aspergers Disorder. He also has ADHD. Since 2006, we have been getting the Guest Assistance Pass from Guest Relations when we enter the park. We carry it with us for the duration of our trip. When we need it, we show the pass and are able to enter the FastPass entrance to a line, without having to worry about actually getting FPs. If there is no FastPass, they will take us to an alternate entrance. This has made trips to WDW MUCH more enjoyable.

DS has an evaluation Thursday morning with several specialists in our home. Even if we don't get a formal diagnosis just yet I'm sure our doctor will write a letter so we can use the Assistance Pass. I just can't imagine trying to stand in a 30 minute line with him. He would be miserable.

[MissDisney]

Hope that all works out well for you!

[iluvwdw]

Originally Posted by 12Amigos

DS has an evaluation Thursday morning with several specialists in our home. Even if we don't get a formal diagnosis just yet I'm sure our doctor will write a letter so we can use the Assistance Pass. I just can't imagine trying to stand in a 30 minute line with him. He would be miserable.

I hear ya...I did without it for SO MANY TRIPS. I never knew it was even available for us. Until my mom's friend told me.... My son CANNOT stand still for even a SECOND. So this pass has become our LIFESAVER. We went to Hershey Park last month and they don't offer any pass like that. Needless to say, it was a MUCH different experience.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

[12Amigos]

Originally Posted by MissDisney

Hope that all works out well for you!

Thanks

[12Amigos]

Originally Posted by iluvwdw

I hear ya...I did without it for SO MANY TRIPS. I never knew it was even available for us. Until my mom's friend told me.... My son CANNOT stand still for even a SECOND. So this pass has become our LIFESAVER. We went to Hershey Park last month and they don't offer any pass like that. Needless to say, it was a MUCH different experience.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

DS doesn't appear to have any hyperactivity issues, just the opposite actually. However, when I think of standing in a line I can clearly invision him getting overwhelmed and becoming agressive with anyone around him. 40lbs of melting two year old can be VERY diffincult to control.

If he doesnt seem to be handling the parks well, we'll probably hang out at TL everyday while DH and DD hit the other parks. I have no doubt that the water will keep him quite happy.

[NokeyNose]

I am so impressed to hear that Disney has a solution in place for situations like this. I don't know why I am surprised, but none the less... 12 Amigos, good luck with the evaluation and enjoy your trip.

[Alaine]

I was in Barnes & Noble about a week ago in the travel Disney section. They had several books for autism as well as other handicaps. Many of them are pocket size for anywhere from $12.95 to $25.00. " In our area "there's a Borders also but the Barnes & Noble had a much larger selection. I hope this helps you and I agree that "you know your own child better than anyone", so trust you own instinct.

[TheHawley's]

Just a note.... From what I understand you need some sort of note from your child's doctor to explain the need for the Special Services Pass. Seems there were people out there taking advantage of the Passes. I was told that from a CM the last time we went to Disney.

I travel with my son to Disney every year. We usually have a very laid back schedule when it comes to most things except DDR. With me I carry a backpack full of "emergency stuff" that keeps him entertained and catchs his focue or attention when I think he's about to melt. With him it's his strings, a couple stuffies, a water bottle, some sugar free gum, and all little gadgets he likes to twiddle with. He's happy if his hands are busy.

Another good tip I read about is online. In his lanyard I have a little card made that says "My name is Kyle, I am Autistic with our cell phone numbersand Resort Name on the bottom. I make it colourful and add a couple characters to make it "Disney"... it worked very well and actually had a couple other parents speak to me about it. I printed about 10 of them off and kept them in my purse so if it got wet I could replace it.

One of the reasons we go back time and time again is how wonder Disney is with my son they actually look for solutions and ways to make the trip there enjoyabel for everyone! Travelling with Kyle is never easy, but with planning and preperation it works out. With Disney providing ways to make it go smooth is just a relief in my mind. The impression was so huge that I have always been quick to say how wonder full it was there!

[tea]

Originally Posted by 12Amigos

DS doesn't appear to have any hyperactivity issues, just the opposite actually. However, when I think of standing in a line I can clearly invision him getting overwhelmed and becoming agressive with anyone around him. 40lbs of melting two year old can be VERY diffincult to control.

If he doesnt seem to be handling the parks well, we'll probably hang out at TL everyday while DH and DD hit the other parks. I have no doubt that the water will keep him quite happy.

My DD also is a water fan She could stay all day in a pool and then go home to take a long bath. She also like bubbles so I am planning on taking a few small bubble bottles to use when we have to wait in line. I did request a note from her doc today so maybe having the Disney card as an option will help.

I did think of a lanyard for her but what I am doing is using a Hello Kitty luggage tag which has the info covered and that I can attach to her belt loops - if she gets separated I am sure CM will look at the tag. I dont want everyone to know her name or that she does not talk - I am very paranoid about her safety.

[12Amigos]

Originally Posted by tea

My DD also is a water fan She could stay all day in a pool and then go home to take a long bath. She also like bubbles so I am planning on taking a few small bubble bottles to use when we have to wait in line. I did request a note from her doc today so maybe having the Disney card as an option will help.

I did think of a lanyard for her but what I am doing is using a Hello Kitty luggage tag which has the info covered and that I can attach to her belt loops - if she gets separated I am sure CM will look at the tag. I dont want everyone to know her name or that she does not talk - I am very paranoid about her safety.

I use a clear ID badge and put a picture of DH and myself on one side and our DSs name on the other with our cell phone numbers, the resort we're at, his age and our names. I also put a code red mickey head on it this year.

I bought a spill proof bubble whistle for DS this year. The bubbles go inside the whistle, and it's very easy for him to blow them.

[12Amigos]

Originally Posted by NokeyNose

I am so impressed to hear that Disney has a solution in place for situations like this. I don't know why I am surprised, but none the less... 12 Amigos, good luck with the evaluation and enjoy your trip.

The evaluation went wonderfully. The doctor pretty much confirmed everything that we already knew, but it was nice to have a professional reassuring what I thought I was seeing. We still don't have a formal diagnosis, but we were told that "If he is autistic, he's VERY high functioning". I knew that I wasn't going to get a yes or no today, so this is the best I could have hoped for. Hopefully within the next two sessions we'll have a final answer and we can get a plan on action together.

Thank you all for your help and kind words.

[tea]

Originally Posted by 12Amigos

I use a clear ID badge and put a picture of DH and myself on one side and our DSs name on the other with our cell phone numbers, the resort we're at, his age and our names. I also put a code red mickey head on it this year.

I bought a spill proof bubble whistle for DS this year. The bubbles go inside the whistle, and it's very easy for him to blow them.

Good tip on the photo! I did not think of that but makes perfect sense. What is a code red Mickey head?

[iluvwdw]

Originally Posted by 12Amigos

The evaluation went wonderfully. The doctor pretty much confirmed everything that we already knew, but it was nice to have a professional reassuring what I thought I was seeing. We still don't have a formal diagnosis, but we were told that "If he is autistic, he's VERY high functioning". I knew that I wasn't going to get a yes or no today, so this is the best I could have hoped for. Hopefully within the next two sessions we'll have a final answer and we can get a plan on action together.

Thank you all for your help and kind words.

That's great. DS is the same way. He is on the autism spectrum (Aspergers), but EXTREMELY high functioning. He has a lot of trouble socially as well.

Best of luck to you!!!!