Sesame Place theme park becomes world’s first Certified Autism Center

Published on : Thursday, April 5, 2018

Pennsylvania’s Sesame Place is the world’s very first theme park in the world to complete training to emerge as a Certified Autism Center (CAC).

The Langhorne, PA, park had declared the exclusive designation on 2^nd April, the World Autism Day.

The certification had been granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. The 14-acre Sesame Place located on Philadelphia is based on the long-running children’s television show demonstrates silent rooms and a sensory guide to help parents plan their visits.

It was offered the award as part of the US National Autism Awareness Month after the staff underwent special training in the field of autism awareness and sensitivity.

The accreditation comes a year after the groundbreaking show had introduced a brand new character, a muppet named Julia who has autism.

Sesame Street character Julia who has autism would also be present at the park for guests to visit. Julia was introduced to the cast in 2015 part of the show’s Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative.

As part of being officially a CAC member, all staff members at the Sesame Street themed new amusement park would be specially trained to work with guests with autism. The training would cover areas including motor skills, autism overview, social skills, program development, communication and environment and emotional awareness, as stated by the park website.

To keep the certification the park must take the autism training course every two years.

The park is equipped with parades and shows, rides would feature accommodations for guests with autism like noise cancelling headphones, quiet rooms and low-sensory areas.

Sesame Place opens for the season on 28^th April.

Tags: Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative, Certified Autism Center, Sesame Place, US National Autism Awareness Month, World Autism Day