‘Sesame Street’ is one of the most successful children’s television series of all-time. It was so popular that it sparked the production of a wide range of goods, including figurines, toys, stationery, and DVDs. It also inspired the creation of a theme park dedicated to the show called ‘Sesame Place’. The theme park is located on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is owned by SeaWorld Entertainment and has been open since 1980. This popular attraction has made it into the news recently as it is the first theme park in the world to receive a certified autism center designation.
This is as a result of the staff at the theme park taking training for autism sensitivity and awareness. It has allowed them to receive certification from the International Board of Crediting and Continuing Education Standards in this subject. Now Sesame Place is the only theme park in the world to have received this distinction.
The designation has come at the perfect time, both in terms of awareness of autism and for the park itself. Not only is April National Autism Awareness Month, this month is also when the park will be opening for its 38th season. Therefore, the timing could not be better. However, you may be wondering what on earth this designation means for the attraction.
As a result of the designation, the park has committed to providing ongoing training to their staff. This will focus on ensuring they have the expertise and skills to interact appropriately with children with special needs and their families. Specific areas fo training will concentrate on emotional awareness, sensory awareness, communication, social skills, motor skills, environment, and program development. Staff must take a comprehensive autism competency exam.
This new certification which Sesame Place has received is in line with their commitment to increasing understanding autism at their Sesame Workshop. It also coincides with the introduction of a new character with autism called Julia who was introduced to ‘Sesame Street’ in the spring of 2017. This is the first autistic character in ‘Sesame Street’ and she will be present at the park in the capacity of meeting and greeting visitors to the attraction.
Scott Chambers, the General Manager and Senior Vice President, has spoken about the introduction of this character. In a statement, he has said that Julia has touched the lives of people around the world since she made her debut in Sesame Street. He went on to say that the introduction of this character is just the first step in their commitment to making Sesame Place somewhere that can provide an autistic-friendly experience for families.
Sesame Place is an exciting attraction for families, regardless of whether a member of your family has autism or not. It features 16 dry rides and 89 wet rides that are suitable for children of all ages. In addition to the rides, the theme park has many shows, parades, and events to keep all members of the family entertained. The park is divided into nine themed sections, each boasting a range of attractions. The designation that this park has recently received should only increase its popularity.
Follow Us
