denied with two kids with asd please help About This Page:

[betsyjo]

So we are at Disneyland today. We have two kids with asd, one of whom is pdd nos before dsm change. We were denied disability pass because we didn't answer question about why it would be difficult correctly. both kids look very neuro typical. We answered anxiety, the crowd, hard to wit in line causes falling apart, etc. What on earth did we say wrong? Now I'm falling apart bc it's quickly become a nightmare

[betsyjo]

Asd. Dumb phone

[HiddenMickey]

I'm sorry you didn't have a better experience.
I don't know what you could have done.

At this point, you should just try to forget the disappointment of getting the passes, get a happy face on for your kids and do the things that will work for you and skip those that you know won't be a good fit. You can still have a good day. ixie;

[betsyjo]

We are here for two more days. The assistant said that falling apart from crowds and anxiety about waiting in lines is just a part of disney. My kids look neuro typical and I think she made the decision based on their appearance.

[PhilsEagles08]

Did you bring a note from their Dr? I'm wondering if that may help.

[CinderAbby]

That doesn't sound like Disney to me. I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience though.

[revral]

I'd ask to speak with a manager and explain the problems to him/her. Granted you could still be denied but at least you will have tried. As for doctor's note don't bother even if you have one as from what I've read Disney wont look at it.

[Pax]

Doctor's notes are useless, as they are too easily falsified by anyone with a computer and an ounce of creativity (and never mind international travelers, whose doctors' letter is likely not even in English!).

However, asking to speak to a manager or supervisor is very good advice. Really, it's the only option you have at that point.

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by Pax

Doctor's notes are useless, as they are too easily falsified by anyone with a computer and an ounce of creativity (and never mind international travelers, whose doctors' letter is likely not even in English!).

However, asking to speak to a manager or supervisor is very good advice. Really, it's the only option you have at that point.

Agree with the information about doctor's notes.
They are easily faked and don't usually give any helpful information (even the ones written in English). CMs are likely to say they will not look at them.

Originally Posted by betsyjo

So we are at Disneyland today. We have two kids with asd, one of whom is pdd nos before dsm change. We were denied disability pass because we didn't answer question about why it would be difficult correctly. both kids look very neuro typical. We answered anxiety, the crowd, hard to wit in line causes falling apart, etc. What on earth did we say wrong? Now I'm falling apart bc it's quickly become a nightmare

If the things in bold are what you said, you did not really give the CM (Cast Member) much to go on. DAS is given based on needs, not diagnosis, so you don't need to give a diagnosis. And if you used the letters as in your post or even those specific diagnoses, those don't necessarily mean anything to the CMs.

People with the same condition can have very different needs. Some may need a lot of assistance, but some do well with just using FASTPASS and planning. your task is to explain what those needs are. The accommodation provided by DAS is being able to wait outside of the line, so everything you talk about needs to relate to waiting in line.
Anxiety and crowds are not things just happening in lines, so you need to think about how to handle them outside of lines. DAS might be able to help you with the waits for attractions, but you need to explain how.

No one will tell you what to say - you need to think of how to explain....
What does 'causes falling apart' mean to you? What happens?
Think of other places or situations where your children have to wait. What happens? How do you handle it? What helps?

Those are the things you need to think about and be able to talk about. I would not suggest asking for a Manager right away if you go back to request DAS - that would make me think 'red flag'. If you have issues, yes, but not right when you get in.

[joelsmom]

I'd be curious to know how things have developed with the OP. Please report back to us.

Also, I know it's too late now for her situation, but in general I agree with Sue. In the past, I have explained that my son has trouble with waiting for long periods of time in the line, due to close quarters and bumping. With the implementation of DAS, a longer wait is going to be the norm. For us, the DAS accommodation of waiting outside the queue and being able to find something to do works well, but it is important to be able to explain in specifics how your kids' issues will manifest.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

The changes to getting a assistance pass these days sucks. I also found Disneyland is much harder than Disney world. I use a scooter and was denied one at DL. They said I didn't need one to use a alternate entrance, but when I tried the CM refused me access. Hopefully on our upcoming trip to WDW I won't have issues. Sad that cheaters ruined it for those that really need the help.

[SueM loves WDW]

There are almost no alternate entrances at WDW; most attractions do have Mainstream accessible lines and there is no need for DAS to use a wheelchair or ECV in lines/attractions.
The few that have a different entrance at WDW do have things set up for access. Generally, that is to get a wheelchair return time ticket at the attraction.

It's also important to NOT assume there is a different or alternate entrance, even if there was one before.
For example, Peter Pan at MK at WDW previously did not have an accessible line. So, guests entered near the exit.
Guests still need to be able to walk at least 15 feet to ride Peter Pan, but the lines are now accessible. Guests using mobility devices will go into the regular line. In order to enter the Fastpass line, they need to have a Fastpass or be using DAS. Guests using mobility devices will be directed to a mobility device parking area just before the boarding area.
Small World at WDW has a similar situation. There is still a different boarding area. Guests using Fastpass or DAS will be sent to that area (for DAS, at their Return Time) . Guests without Fastpass or DAS will be sent into the regular line and will stay in that line until the last turn before passing the accessible boarding area.
I have seen people who did not understand that saying they were not allowed to use the wheelchair entrance because they did not have DAS - that is not correct. if the regular line is accessible, guests will be sent into that line (not the Fastpass line or somewhere else).
If there is a separate entrance, those guests will most often be given a wheelchair return time and can enter the separate entrance.
If it's not busy, guests may be sent directly yo the accessible entrance, but that is not to be expected.

[Kynna]

I hope everything turned out OK for the OP. I had an equally frustrating experience with getting a GAC a few years ago in Disneyland. I explained that my Crohn's was very active and I often have to leave the line to use the restroom. Being able to have access to the restroom as soon as possible before I got on the ride would help. Her response was "my boyfriend has Crohn's and he never gets a GAC." My response was "lucky him! It's nice that he is well enough to enjoy the park without help." .....Blank stare..... "is he also lucky enough to live close by and come here often?" Then I explained to her that I was half way through the trip and there were several things I had not been able to get on because I had to leave the line. Still blank stare so I tried a different approach and decided to give her some information about the Crohn's and Colitis foundation and some websites so that she could educate herself on what her boyfriend is going through and be supportive. She cracked and told me she feels he shuts her out of that aspect of his life...ect. She then begrudgingly gave me the pass for my last two days and made it very clear that it expired in two days.

I wonder if they had people selling the passes so they feel extra protective of them. I really wish this was something we could arrange in advance so it doesn't have to be such a struggle to communicate.

[betsyjo]

I'm sorry it took me so long to respond. We were there 3 days and did not get a pass any of those days. We tried each day. It was explained to us and it was very clear that except for extreme cases, Disneyland no longer gives disability passes to people with neurological disabilities. They pretty much limit it to physical disabilities and even those were limited. There were many people in wheel chairs in line. Although it appeared that some of these were people who possibly just had sore feet. I saw two cases where people with neurological disabilities had passes: one was a group of about 20 young children plus caregivers, (and I am just guessing from my own experience-radar that they had disabilities because it was not overtly obvious) and one was a teen boy who clearly had severe neurological disabilities.

I have to tell you, this was so hard. I was in tears more than once each day, and my kids are high functioning. It was so frustrating and such a helpless feeling. We tried to make the most of it. What I never, ever expected was that I would see my son deteriorate because in 18 years that has never happened in such a manner, but he clearly did.
I truly empathize with Disney because so many people have taken advantage of the previous system, but this takes things too far the other way. I am sure there is a reason they don't require doctor authorizations (probably stupid lawsuits) but that could solve so many problems.

It was so hard. It felt like a heartbreaking waste of thousands of dollars that we waited seven years for. I wish I could rewind and never have taken that trip.

[revral]

They don't require a doctor's because legally they are not allowed to plus doing so would put the cm's in the position of having to understand medicine & medical conditions. Not to mention how much time reading all of those would take and make the lines.