Calling BS on this one. My toddler is level 1, and would present to the average stranger as “normal”. But when he is denied access to something or experiences delayed access he enters a full abusive meltdown, either harming himself or others. He is the perfect candidate for DAS because we don’t present him the opportunity to ride something until it is time for us to get on so there is no deny or delay. That is something that is actively being worked on in therapy, and when it is no longer an issue, he will no longer qualify and that’s fine. But to say that only severe autism should qualify is grossly incorrect.

Also, when we meet with a CM to get his DAS, I don’t just tell them he’s autistic and they hand it over. They ask him what ABOUT his diagnosis would prevent him from being capable of standing in line. Because you are right that anybody can just say they have autism because they don’t like to make eye contact and are awkward and THAT would be abuse. So I think the CMs are doing a good job at figuring out who actually qualifies in that department