On May 8, Six Flags Great Adventure of New Jersey will host its second annual Autism Day for kids on the autism spectrum and their families. Last year’s debut was a raging success–more than 5,000 attendees enjoyed a Six Flags modified especially for them. Thanks to a partnership between Six Flags and the Gersh Academy for Students on the Autism Spectrum, Autism Day 2018 was the first time a national amusement park was transformed into a sensory-friendly space for an entire day, just for kids with disabilities. This year’s experience is set to be even better–and 10,000 attendees are expected to flood the park and have fun.
The day will feature lowered light and music levels, short lines and accommodations for kids who have difficulty waiting for rides, decompression areas stocked with sensory-friendly items, an improved system for rating rides based on thrill and sensory levels, and more than 100 Gersh staff available to assist families.
“[There were] tears of joy streaming down my face…just knowing that people care enough to do this for my son to have a ‘normal’ day at an amusement park…” says Nicole M., who attended last year. “I’m so thankful to the creators and sponsors of this project.”
This year’s Autism Day will also feature more rides that are suited to younger children, but older and younger siblings will all be able to enjoy the day with their families. Last year treated families to an incredible day that they might not get to experience otherwise–and both kids and parents loved it, and are looking forward to May 8.
“Thank you for doing this,” says Alexandria P. “My son is gonna freak out…in a good way!”
