Sesame Place Becomes First Certified Autism Center Theme Park

April is National Autism Awareness month and Sesame Place has some great news to share.

Today, the nation’s only theme park based entirely on the award-winning show “Sesame Street,” in conjunction with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), announced the completion of a staff-wide autism sensitivity and awareness training at the theme park.

Essentially, this news means that families with autistic children can find solace in knowing that they can visit this Pennsylvania-based park, located 30 minutes from Philadelphia and 90 minutes from New York City—and be in good hands without compromising the fun.

The completion designates Sesame Place as a Certified Autism Center (CAC) as distinguished by IBCCES, making it the first theme park to receive such a distinction.

Because of that certification, Sesame Place is required to provide ongoing training to ensure that team members have the requisite knowledge, skills, temperament, and expertise to interact with all families and children with special needs, specifically on the autism spectrum. Training takes place in the areas of sensory awareness, environment, communication, motor and social skills, program development, and emotional awareness as well as a comprehensive autism competency exam.

“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,” Cathy Valeriano, Sesame Place park president, said in a release.

The theme park’s website will add a pre-planning sensory guide to help families map out their visit—considering their child’s specific needs and requirements. In addition, the theme park will add two sensory rooms, located on Sesame Island with adjustable lighting, and a comfortable seating area for guests to take a break.

Sesame Workshop has always been a leader in preschool education so it comes as no surprise that the company’s commitment to helping children grow smarter, stronger and kinder would also apply to its theme park. In fact, Sesame Workshop launched the “Sesame Street” and Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative in 2015 and Julia, a Sesame Street Muppet with autism, made her debut—providing children with a character that helps them understand the condition better. Julia can also be seen in real life throughout the theme park greeting children eager to meet her.

While I don’t have children on the autism spectrum, I am happy to learn that families who do will have a place where they can have fun with furry friends like Elmo, Big Bird, Abby Cadabby and the rest of the Sesame Street gang while enjoying rides like the brand-new Oscar’s Wacky Taxi rollercoaster (opening April 28), parades and other family-friendly activities.

While it’s always a sunny day at Sesame Street and Sesame Place, today the sun’s shining a little brighter.

Have you ever visited Sesame Place?