Alton Towers to remove disability pass for people with ADHD and anxiety

[AnitaRita]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gwgj4xreo
Too many people wanting to join the "Fast pass queue" so you actually end up with two queues rather than one queue and a fast entry! Got to agree with them - if you're too anxious to queue then a white knuckle ride is probably not for you!

I disagree. This isn’t about diagnosis rates which of course will be higher as we as a society are becoming more informed. What I don’t like is hearing educated people spouting the BS that comes from the government regardless of the party. Diagnosis is a prolonged process for many with a strict referral criteria and even stricter triage process. No SEN parent ever wants to be in a position where their child gets a diagnosis but it happens. The issue is that schools, councils and the NHS are significantly underfunded for the needs of today’s society. Let’s stop spouting the rubbish politicians tell us and start all getting together and demanding that they fund all of our services properly. That’s at the heart of the issue. And to be honest it is offensive hearing people talk about how they carry the burden or are disadvantaged (I can’t see the original wording) by SEN children and their funding needs. Let’s be honest none of us want to ever be in that position. Some of us simply don’t have a choice. Instead of fighting each other on the basis of the narrative we buy from politicians and the press, let’s demand our services are funded properly.

They aren't inclusive for some people with profound disabilities where vocalisations can't be controlled. In essence, this you'd once again be excluding those who need times like the RAP the most.

Do you have ADHD ? Do your kids ? Anyone in your family ? Just wondering where your expertise comes from.

Mental illness is not the same as spectrum disabilities.

None. But once the diagnosis is there, there are disability benefits to be claimed.

FFS !!

Yes I do, I’ve been diagnosed since 2014. It’s not fun or quirky, but it also has no bearing on my ability to stand in a queue or anybody else’s

I genuinely don't see the issue with the comment I made the poster said her 17 year old dd will no longer be able to go because she can't queue and what a loss it is as she enjoys it so much. So a solution to this is buy a fast pass. I'm assuming the only income a 17 year old autistic teen would have will be her pip which is exactly what pip is for the extra costs of being disabled. Just like I use my pip for taxis as I can't use public transport. You are the 2nd person to be offended by what I see as a helpful comment without explaining why you are so offending to a solution that would mean her dd still gets to do something she loves

Are you sure about that as there are a significant amount of physchiatrists who seem incapable of being able to differentiate between eupd and autism.

Not really. You seem to not actually be reading my post. Many posters have made very similar points.I am actually trying to put forward suggestions to make life better for those children with severe conditions who are finding it harder and harder to access any care or support because of sheer numbers of children being diagnosed.
This is evidenced in a fairly minor way by AT withdrawing the virtual queue currently available .
Re councils while everything you say is correct I’m afraid SEND costs are eye watering and again because of the increasing numbers diagnosed every year. This too will lead to cut backs affecting those children with the most needs.

Do you speak from a position of lived experience as a SEN parent?

Oh that old chesnut. You don't need a diagnosis to claim disability benefits. It's based on needs. Hth

All that's show is it's risen since 2018. It doesn't make it higher than it was in 2010, because it's you know, not.

Pic will upload shortly hopefully.

SEND is not as high as in the past. It has rise over the last few years but is still lower than it was from 2010-1012. It's not exactly exploded like people like to make out.

Hope someone can make sense of this graph as it really surprises me, not just the absolute numbers and trend but the gender split. It also seems to contradict a lot of other information out there.

The gender split is to be expected. For a long time girls were ignored , then they were assessed against presentation in boys (and not getting a diagnosis) . I’d say it’s only in the past 5-7 years that things have started to shift. We’re still playing catch up.

The NHS are definitely not underfunded now and the cost for SEN has skyrocketed - that's a fact.

What a joke and how ignorant……go look at the numbers…..someone else listening to that expert Wes streeting 😂😂😂

Let’s be honest you can only comment from your perspective right? Your diagnosis does not give you the right to speak for everyone else and I’m disgusted that someone with a diagnosis lacks the ability to understand that no two ASD or ADHD persons are alike.

Be disgusted then. I’m disgusted by people who milk the condition and pretend it’s a disability thereby undermining the struggle of those who genuinely have it.

Yes I am disgusted by those people also but that’s not everyone is it. For many it is a huge disability. And I’m sick of people saying it’s not.

How is it a disability?

Firstly, would you like to tell us more about yourself. This thread seems to have really upset you using phrases like your disgusted and views are making you sick etc. not having a go but would really like to understand where your coming from. I’m also surprised about your attacks on Labour (which I’m all in favour of) but I would have thought that ideologically you would be fairly near to them.

So that’s a no then……surprise surprise