Yes, that’s right, there is an Autism certified theme park called Sesame Place!
The Sesame Place is the very first theme park to get a Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation, according to an article on NBC Philadelphia. The park is located about 30 minutes north of Philadelphia.
The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, which provides autism training and certifications, awarded the certification.
This obviously isn’t very convenient for us Tampa Bay folks, unless we happen to have relatives in Philadelphia, but we should still be celebrating. The fact that this park is making the news will plant a seed in the minds of other theme parks owners and managers around the country. Every venue deliberately designed to be Autism-friendly brings us one step closer to an Autism-friendly America!
Is autism being overlooked in girls? A growing body of research says yes.
Apps can aid your data-gathering on students with autism.
Use these five concepts to figure how to treat students with social communication disorder?
Sesame Street Welcomes Character With Autism
About the Certification
The certification requires park employees to undergo autism sensitivity and awareness training every two years. The training teaches park employees how to interact with individuals who have Autism and their families.
In addition to the training for all Sesame Place employees, the park also installed quiet rooms and developed a sensory guide to help visitors understand the experiences and select activities to fit their needs. It also provides noise-cancelling headphones and a ride accessibility program that includes priority boarding for some guests.
Sources
Shelley D. Hutchins is content editor/producer for the ASHA Leader. shutchins@asha.org.
DISCLAIMER: Information published about one particular disorder does not necessarily apply to every individual who has the disorder discussed in this article. Treatments and therapies are highly individual and must be customized to the needs of each person to be effective. Do not make changes to your/your child’s treatment plan as a result of what you read in this article (or any content published by AASL) without consulting your/your child’s physicians and therapists. This content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of All About Speech and Language or its therapists. To understand the opinions and recommendations of your/your child’s AASL therapist, schedule an appointment with your therapist to discuss your concerns.
