This year, the Sesame Place theme park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, became the first certified autism center in the world.
After teaming up with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, the theme park received the official seal of approval, becoming a certified autism center. This means that all children, regardless of who they are or where they come from, will be able to enjoy the park in the way that’s best for them.
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Sesame Place will open on April 28 and will welcome some of our favorite Sesame Street characters, including Elmo, Big Bird, and Oscar the Grouch.
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The park’s features have been customized to fit the needs of autistic children. All of the employee’s at Sesame Place have been trained in fine motor skills, communication, and emotional awareness to ensure that everyone in the park feels comfortable and can enjoy their chance to play.
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Some of the rooms have custom lighting fixtures, so if a guest is particularly sensitive to light, they can still enjoy their time in the park.
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During their popular parades, guests are also welcome to view the excitement from a special low-sensory area complete with noise canceling headphones. They’ll be able to be included in the fun, without the risk of feeling uncomfortable or suffering from sensory overload.
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Each ride will also feature signage at every entrance line that shares what sensory experiences guests will encounter during a ride. Families can maneuver around which sensitivities they have, without the surprise halfway through. The intensity level of each sensory experience is also rated on a scale of one to ten.
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The complete inventory of the attractions at Sesame Place is also available online, so families can prepare for their trip ahead of time.
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Special guests at the park will also get the chance to meet Julia, Sesame Street’s very first character with autism to join the show. Julia allows children to see characters who are more like them and allows them to celebrate their uniqueness.
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This announcement comes at the perfect time to celebrate Autism Awareness month, which happens each year during the month of April.
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Who else is ready to plan their trip to Sesame Place?
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