This Theme Park Is Now the World's First Certified Autism Center

Photo courtesy of Sesame Place
Photo courtesy of Sesame Place
4/7/18 - By Christine Mooney

Over a million visitors flock to Sesame Place each year, giving young children a chance to spend the day with some of their favorite Sesame Street characters. Now, the 14-acre park offers something else for kids – and their parents – to love. Sesame Place has recently become the world’s first theme park to be named a Certified Autism Center.

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While finding appropriate activities for children with a range of abilities can sometimes be challenging, Sesame Place has now made it easier for grownups and more fun for kids.

To become a Certified Autism Center, Sesame Place partnered with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to specially train their staff in sensory and emotional awareness, communication, motor skills, and more.

The theme park has also developed the Ride Accessibility Program, which tailors the guest experience by matching individual abilities to park rides via a one-page questionnaire that can be downloaded and filled out prior to visiting. There are also quiet rooms and low sensory areas, including low sensory parade viewing, available throughout the park to offer some relief from the typical high sensory experience. Plus, noise-cancelling headphones are available for checkout for the day on a first-come, first-served basis.


Don't forget to meet Julia, a character with autism. Photo courtesy of Sesame Place

And visitors are sure to be excited to give a wave and say hello to Julia, a sweet and curious 4-year-old, who also happens to be Sesame Street’s first character with autism.

Excited to check out these new features for yourself? The theme park’s 2018 opening day is Saturday, April 28.

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