The Special Needs Forum Is Now Open...

[LibertyTreeGal]

Howdy, I have noticed that we have a lot of special needs parents onsite asking questions and so far they have been having to go into the generalised categories. I was wondering if we could have a separate section, that way it will be easier to look out for people with specific special needs questions and I know the established special needs families around Intercot won't have issues with making sure they are taken care of. Like, not all special needs parents visit the Accomodations area, and most of us might miss an important question that we have an answer to.

Just a suggestion Thanks.

[John]

I am noting your suggestion, and the next time the board expands, we'll take it into consideration.

[merlinmagic4]

That's a really great idea!!

[LibertyTreeGal]

Thanks John

[Jenemmy]

Great Idea, LibertyTreeGal -- and thanks John, for taking it into consideration. I would surely support that 100% and help out in any way I could

[Darbylew]

That is an excellent idea. I would support it as
well.

[Hayden's Dad]

I think it is an awesome idea!

[Nate's Grandpa]

Yes! This is a wonderful idea!

It would be nice to be able to go to one forum with ANY special needs question.

[TheDuckRocks]

Thank you, John. As an ECV user I had many questions before my first trip to WDW and gathered information from various forums, it would have been much easier to have been able to just visit one place.

[T--]

Hi,
I've been around here for 6 months or so, and one recurring theme that doesn't have its own dedicated forum is one on autism or special needs in general.
You guys have probably noticed it too, and perhaps contemplated a separate forum for this.
I don't have any experience with autism or other special needs children, but I bet the parents who do would really appreciate a forum that has the answers to all their questions right in one place. Even the answers to the ones they don't know to ask.
Over time, this would prove to be an invaluable resource as the forum fills up with expertise.
You could open it in right here in Vacation Planning. It would make a great fit.

Best,

T--

[merlinmagic4]

Libertytreegal just recently suggested this, too. It is a great idea!! I only read Intercot but I happened over to another popular board one day and they do have a whole forum area for special needs. They seemed to have a lot of Make a Wish families. I wish they would come here!!!!!!!!!! It's much nicer

[Figment!]

Here is the thread referenced above:

New Forum Area suggestion

[ibrowse17]

I would agree. My DW has epilepsy and is fitted with a vagus nerve stimulator, which meant we had many questions before our first trip, but no answers. Having a special needs type of forum would be very informative and helpful.

P.S.- We have those answers now, if anyone needs them.

[vamaggie]

This is a great idea. Consolidating information into one place so folks know where to look will make it much easier. Even though we don't have a special needs situation, I'm all for it!

[Briansmom]

All I can say to that suggestion is....

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES, please, YES.

As a parent to a special needs child (autism/dev delays), it would be great to have a place specifically to go to research/ask questions.

Don't get me wrong.....everyone has been great with their answers on the all forums for me, but it would def take less time to do the research if there was a forum specifically for those of us with special needs. And time is something that is a precious commodity to us.
Thanks again for the suggestion!

[BelleandtheBeast]

Wonderful idea.

[LibertyTreeGal]

Howdy, one of the things I have noticed since coming here is how many different special needs there are that I never knew existed -- not that this is strange, before the AFP screening came back elevated, I had never heard of spina bifida at all! Special needs parenting is a crash course in life LOL And there are so many special needs that no book could ever cover them all, which is why we need each other!

But I have to agree with merlinmagic4, I would love to have Make a Wish families here (If I ever won the lottery, I'd probably end up sending every sick child to WDW -- heck, I'd even be a tour guide, selfless person that I am ROFL)

[DawsonAR]

I think that would be wonderful. I would love a place to ask questions and answer questions for others.

[Hayden's Dad]

I have to agree again. As a father to a special needs son it would make me feel good to be able to help others that are going through similar issues as well as help us with ours.

[dpamac]

Let me be the first to say that the forum is currently under development. As soon as all of our ducks are in a row, we'll launch the forum. The staff we are assembling all have experience as both parents of kids who have special needs, have special needs or have extensive experience in the area.

We look forward to all of the information and advice you guys will be able to share with our guests who are trying to plan vacations and are worried about how to best accommodate and plan for their particular needs.