My 8 year old son is recently diagnosed as autistic. It's pretty severe, as in he's 3 years behind academically, but he can talk and toilet etc. He met every part of the DSM V criteria and has regressions and so could fall further behind.
As part of his diagnosis, they gave links to various wonderful schemes where you can get free/reduced tickets as his carer.
As he's 8, at the moment I'd go along with him anywhere anyway, however in 5/6 years time when his friends visit the cinema without parents and he can't do that, the carer ticket will be helpful. If I introduce it later, I'm worried it could affect his confidence.
So how would you feel if an 8 year-old's parent used a "carer" ticket for the cinema/ theme park etc.? Financially we aren't badly off. I'm not sure if this makes a difference.
I haven't applied yet as I just can't work out how I'd feel about it. So please help me. I don't mind the response and planning to aply (or not!) based on this poll, but please, please keep it kind. :-)
Aibu
YABU- carer tickets should be when you can't afford a ticket and you need to go anyway with an 8 year-old
YANBU- your child has a disability, you've been advised to apply and using the systems he'll need in the future, now, will help him see this as the "norm" so he doesn't suddenly feel "different" as he gets older.
If you've got to the end, thank you. :-)