Child with developmental delays

[carver922]

Hello,
I have a 2 year old child w/developmental delays. We are recieving therapies three times a week for speech, ot, and pt. Right now, he has labeled w/develpmental delays b/c I can not be seen by children's hospital until august.

No one will give an official dignosis until then, but our group of therapists and other people with early intervention are leaning toward the autism spectrum, sensory deficit disorder, apraxia or possible developmental delays. I have heard all of these as possible diagnosis. He is very apprehensive around large crowds or crowds in general. He is going through a huge fear stage, at times fearing familly members he is used to seeing. He doesn't like to sit still. Here is the thing, I believe most two year olds are like this, fearing people or crowds and don't sit still. Would I look like a jerk if I asked for a GAC card? Just trying to bounce ideas off of you guys before we go.

 

[coltow]

My 5 yo still can't sit still. He doesn't even sleep still. My 2 yo gets shy around strangers or peole he hasn't seen for awhile, but I don't think I'd call it fear.

Neither of my kids have been through early intervention or have any sort of delay issues. I do know people that have kids gone through some of the things you mentioned though. They have all taken their kids to WDW and found that the kids managed very well. You need to be the best judge of your own child. If you think you need a GAC ask for it, it cannot hurt to ask though.

 

[erstwo]

Absolutely not. Ask for the card.

 

[Carebee21]

If you need it, get it. I wouldn't worry about how others see or view you, just do what is best for your son and your family.

However, with that being said, is this really the best time to attempt your trip? I'm really not trying to sound rude and hope I don't come across as such, but if he's scared of crowds and in a new fear stage, do you think that Disney is going to be a good enviorment for your son? It's crowded and if he's scared of people hes already familiar with, what is he going to think if he sees characters? Is he going to sit still on rides or shows? And with sensory deficit disorder, it might all be just a bit much on his sensory system. Is it possible to wait a year or so until he's had more time to work with specialists?

 

[City Hall]

While the decision to bring your child into a theme park environment is a judgement call only you can make, if you choose to do so please stop by Guest Relations. These Cast Members are specifically trained on the types of assistance attractions can provide. When you explain your child's challenges they can ensure you receive the appropriate assistance. The Guest Assistance Card program is not one general pass, nor is it intended to reduce wait times. It is a blank card a Guest Relations Cast Member can mark to quickly communicate to Attractions Cast Members how they can best assist with your child's unique needs. Of course once you have the card you can choose whether or not to present it at each specific attraction you wish to bring your child on. I hope this helps and wish you all the best.

 

[Tink313]

My older son had (or has I dont know if you could be cured) apraxia. It was terrifying when he walk away from us on our first trip to disney in 2002. Thank god we found him quickly. With his inability to talk well I bought him a light up whistle and sandals so I could find him at night. I also had on him an id with his name and my info just in case. Thank God since he began 1st grade he began speaking better.

Now unfortunantly my younger son also has speech delay. He sounds alot like your son. He also receives early intervention, speech 3 times a week, ot 3 times a week and si 2 times. He is all over the place very much a handfull. Last year was his first real year (he went they year before but he was still more of a baby then a toddler so it was much easier) and it was very difficult waiting in long slow moving lines. I got alot of stares and rolling eyes at us(and the you're a bad mom look). PPL just see a out of control toddler. They dont stop and think well maybe there somthing more going on there. There were times I wish I had a gac card but didnt think I could get one. Thank God for fp

Now besides the line horrors (add ts meals...Messy)
It was great with him. He loved it. Everyday he takes out our scrapbooks and looks at them and says bus,bye bye Dubbie (Dubbie is his name for mickey mouse :shrug:idk why:lol I guess he is dying to get on that ME bus as much as I do. So we are going again this year:sohappy:

 

[pintraderpayee]

Get the card and enjoy your vacation! My visually impaired son has always gotten one and it helped the CMs help him. Never be afraid to ask for assistance that can level the playing field for your child. DS is a junior in college using adaptive technology that he would not have had if he hadn't ask for it.
Check your local bookstore for books on visiting WDW with special needs. I know PassPorter's has a version. Also, check different web sites for tips.
Have a magical trip!


21 more days until we are Orlando bound with 27 teens on a school bus for 930 miles of smiles:hammer:

 

[Lokheed]

Your son is exactly what the GAC is for. My son is autistic, and that card makes a huge difference. You should not feel guilty at all. The point is to make the trip as enjoyable as possible for your son, and the cast members will do everything they can to help with that.

If you would like more advice about spending time in the parks with a child on the autism spectrum, feel free to send me a private message.

 

[mickeymaniacs]

My nephew has autism and has been going to Disney for years and he loves it. He actually has cried when he's gotten off the plane back home. He is not good with a ton of stimulation either so we try to distract him in line with looking at stuff, talking to him, we don't use the Gac but he's 12 now so he has had time to get used to how things work there but I would say since your son's so young get the card, it doesn't matter what people in line think they didn't pay for your trip you did so use all the resources available. Disney is great about helping whenever they can. My Brother in law has md and doesn't use a chair but he can't climb stairs so he has to use the handicap ramps and elevators and we get funny looks sometimes but it doesn't matter. I hope you have a wonderful time and good luck.

 

[TinkerbellK]

if nothing else, you can get a GAC to allow you to take a stroller in line, which normally is not allowed. This will give your son a "safe space" and means you won't have to carry him. If you don't have this, you will have to park the stroller outside shows and attractions, even if you are doing child swap - and that is a long time to hold any two year old! I think a GAC for this alone is worth it!

 

[carver922]

Thanks everybody for your help. We have decided to play it by ear. We will go to Disney and try it first without the GAC card, see how he does compared to the other toddlers in line. If I notice a difference between him and the others I will definetly ask for the GAC card. Is the GAC a card something you have to ask for before you start your vacation or can you recieve it anytime?

Carebee21, I know you were not trying to be rude. We booked this vacation last year in August before Tyler turned 2. We wasn't sure if his fears were normal insecurities toddlers have, or actual fears. We figued like any toddler they would go away, but as he became older they became more intense. His fears are not to bad when he is outside we usually have his hand, his fears come alive when we are enclosed in a house or room with family or people, he instantly becomes clingly and winey. Basically, we have already paid the trip off, no refunds now. We will see how it goes, if it is awful for him I assure you we will learn from this lesson.

Tink313, you gave me some great ideas. I will defenitely equip him w/a name tag and light up sandals, how old was your son when he did the whistle? My son can not talk either, well his receptive and expressive language are delayed pretty severe. He can't figure out how to blow either. So, I don't think the whistle would work, but what an awesome ideas!!!!

 

[City Hall]

I'm glad this thread has proved useful for you. To request information and resources possibly including a Guest Assistance Card, one need only visit Guest Relations at the front of any of the four Disney parks with the guest with special needs in person at anytime during normal park hours.

However, I would suggest doing so at the start of your vacation. Their expertise may prove useful in planning your day, and it cannot hurt to have resources available for you to use at your discretion. These Cast Members are there to help in situations exactly like this.

Best wishes!

 

[Tink313]

Glad to help you carver922. I bought the whistle from a neighborhood street feastival (it also lit up) My oldest son was 3 on our first trip. Im hoping to find them this year before we go in Aug. Maybe you should try to practice with your son to blow in and out of straws, as this helped my son alot to learn how to blow...My sons speech therapist also had recommended to use the sippy cups with the straw attach, it somehow:shrug: helps them with speaking. Oh the the funnest way helping them learn, is blowing bubbles....But anyway you probably already know these tips(sorry for writting so much if you did)

In case you dont want to do the tag. There is a website I found out about called safety tats. You could buy I think a set of 24 or more temporary tattoos. On the tattoos you could put you cellphone or home number. They have cute pictures on it so the kids would like putting them on. They also have ones that say nonverble, special needs, allergy, or if you child has a medical condition(diabetic) They are really cool. Im thinking of getting them(for my 2 year old hes very delayed with his speech)

:wave:Have a great time and dont be surpised at the end of you day he starts to cry and and refuses to go into the hotel room because he doesnt want the fun to stop(I went through that for 2 years already looking foward to #3:lol:wave:


P.S. Just checked the sit they also have travel tats (comes with 6 tats)