April is Autism Awareness Month and to celebrate, Sesame Place in Langhorn, PA just announced some pretty fantastic news. It recently became the first theme park in the world to be a designated Certified Autism Center. This came after the entire staff completed a autism sensitivity and awareness training at the park. This is exciting news for parents as they start making plans for summer travel.
Sensory guides will be on-hand to help families plan their visit while at Sesame Place. There will also be quiet rooms and low-sensory areas available.
“As the first theme park in the world to complete the training and become a CAC, Sesame Place is better equipped to offer families inclusive activities for children with autism and other special needs,” explained Sesame Place park president Cathy Valeriano in a press release.
The certification was given by The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), the industry leader in autism training for licensed healthcare professionals and educators. As part of its certification, the staff at Sesame Place will be required to have the, “knowledge, skills, temperament, and expertise to interact with all families and children with special needs, specifically on the autism spectrum,” states the official press release.
“IBCCES works with leading travel destinations to create safe, sensory-compatible travel options for parents and individuals on the spectrum. Our Certified Autism Center designation is awarded to premier organizations around the globe that have completed rigorous training and meet the highest industry standards,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman in a press release. “Sesame Place is ideal because of its accessibility to families and convenient location, as well as everything the organization has done to be inclusive for all. The CAC certification helps give parents and other guests on the spectrum peace of mind when visiting a new destination or attraction.”
The park will be ready to welcome ALL families when it opens for its 38th season on April 28.
“Sesame Place is honored to be leading the theme park industry through our commitment to making our facility friendly for families with children on the spectrum,” added Valeriano. “We’re dedicated to providing all of our guests with an exceptional and memorable experience. We look forward to applying this training and expanding our commitment to help spread awareness about autism.”
For more information or to purchase tickets visit sesameplace.com.
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