Did you know that Orlando SeaWorld’s Sesame Street Land has been designated as a Certified Autism Center?
This is fantastic news for families with autistic children or children with sensory needs who may have previously found it challenging to participate in going to theme parks similar to Sea World.
For many autistic children, social and sensory needs can make it challenging to enjoy the typical theme park experience. They may struggle with the crowds, noise, and other overwhelming stimuli that are part of a typical day at a theme park. Sea World dedicating not only Sesame Street Land, but providing accommodations throughout the park specifically to their needs is a huge step forward.
At Sesame Street Land in SeaWorld, autistic children can experience a quieter, more relaxed environment that is tailored to their individual needs. Sea World offers trained staff who can provide one-on-one assistance. According to Sea World’s website, these staff members are trained on “sensory awareness, motor skills, autism overview, program development, social skills, communication, environment, and emotional awareness”. Sesame Street Land also provides a quiet room located in the child care facility. There is also an area between Dolphin Cove and Turtle Trek that provides a low sensory experience. Sea World also provides headphones, and other sensory aids to help children feel more comfortable.
Sea World offers a “Sensory Guide” which is a downloadable park map that has information about how each ride/attraction may impact the sensory experience for an autistic child. The Sensory Guide is an invaluable resource for families with autistic children, as it helps them to plan their day in advance and make informed decisions about which attractions are best suited to their child's needs. For children who may struggle with communication or social interaction, the guide can also be a helpful tool for preparing them for new experiences and reducing anxiety.
Not only that, but Sea World offers an "Accessibility Guide" that includes information about wheelchair access and rentals, services animals, ride accessibility and requirements, restaurants that offer allergy friendly foods, ridership criteria, etc. It also provides information specific to each ride/attraction in the park to facilitate better planning for families.
Sea World's efforts to create a more inclusive and accessible experience for all guests is a great step forward that I hope more theme parks follow suit in the future!
**Some other theme parks that are Certified Autism Centers in Orlando and Central Florida include Aquatica and Legoland.**
Helpful information about Sea World and Certified Autism Centers:
Photo 2: https://seaworld.com/
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