Parents of autistic kids know how hard it is to enjoy family outings while dealing with their sensitivities.
Some kids simply can’t handle too much stimulation. Whether the lights are too bright or the atmosphere is too loud, it makes them act out or become scared and withdrawn. That means most amusement parks are out of the question.
A new amusement park called Sesame Place is about the change all that.
The park will open on April 28 in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and it will feature rides and activities that are designed for children with autism. Each ride is different, and parents can find a list of sensory experiences outside it, so they can decide if their child is up for it before they wait in line and get on the ride.
There are a lot of parades and music. For children who can’t handle too much stimulation, there are special areas of the park where families can watch the crowds and parades from a distance. They even include headphones to block out noise. Some of these places also have different lighting settings so kids who are sensitive to light can be comfortable there, too.
In addition to the rides and parades, many of the Sesame Street characters will be walking around meeting guests and signing autographs.
Even Julia – “Sesame Street’s” first character with autism will be there to meet her pals.
April is Autism Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time for the park to open. While it is aimed at meeting the needs of children with autism, the park is perfect for all families. Kids of all ages will enjoy the rides, games, and entertainment.
According to the park’s website:
“Sesame Place® has partnered with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a global leader in online training and certification programs, to become the first theme park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center (CAC). It is our goal to provide every family with an enjoyable and memorable visit to Sesame Place, and we are proud to offer specialized services to guests with autism and other special needs.”
The staff members are all certified to work with families to help ensure that their children’s needs are being met and to help them navigate the park more easily.
Things like sensory guides, quiet rooms, low sensory areas, and quiet dining options make this the perfect theme park for families with children who have autism. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
“About 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Studies in Asia, Europe, and North America have identified individuals with ASD with an average prevalence of between 1% and 2%. About 1 in 6 children in the United States had a developmental disability in 2006-2008, ranging from mild disabilities, such as speech and language impairments, to serious developmental disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and autism.”
Chances are, you know someone who has autism.
There is no cure for autism. Although research on the disorder has come a long way, it’s still not known what causes it. In the last decade, there has been an increase in people born with autism. Autism makes it hard for kids and adults to deal with everyday life. It can be minor or severe, but in most cases, autism sufferers aren’t able to do many of the things other children can do.
Sesame Place is the first park of its kind, and it’s a real treat for families with autism. Finally, they can take their kids to an amusement park that is made just for them.
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