Photo courtesy of Sesame Place Facebook page

Sesame Street has been a family fave for decades, and was praised for introducing the world to new puppet Julia, a 4-year-old with autism, on the show. Sesame Place Philadelphia in Langhorne, PA, followed suit by aiming to include all little fans in the fun. The amusement park received a designation that’ll make it even more of a go-to destination, especially for special needs families.

Through a partnership with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), Sesame Place is the first theme park in the world to become a Certified Autism Center. This means the venue’s employees and features cater to the safety and enjoyment of guests with autism and other special needs.

Here are the specs that earned Sesame Place the accreditation:

  • Certified staff: Team members have the proper knowledge, skills and attitude regarding topics like sensory awareness, communication and social skills to cater to kids with any special needs.

  • IBCCES Sensory Guide: This gives parents and kids an idea of how a child with sensory issues may be affected by a ride or attraction.

  • Ride Accessibility Program: This takes into consideration the individual abilities of each guest regarding the requirements of each ride. Prior to visiting, guests can fill out a questionnaire and take it to the Welcome Center upon arrival. Once the form is processed, the guest will receive a personalized list of rides that’ll keep them safe and having fun.

  • Quiet rooms and noise-cancelling headphones: If your kiddo needs a break from the sounds of the park or crowds, take a break in one of two new quiet rooms near Big Bird’s Rambling River, complete with adjustable lighting and cozy seating. Kids with hearing sensitivity can also snag a pair of WhipsEars headphones to block out sound.

  • Low sensory areas and parade viewing: Watch the characters march by without worrying about unwanted high-fives or hugs by sitting where the parade starts or several rows back from the viewing line. Need a calmer location while walking around? Visit Twiddle Bug Tracks and the area behind Sesame Street Neighborhood.

  • Dining options: You can talk to someone about when to hit meal facilities during non-peak hours to avoid crowds, as well as how to book a character dine with limited direct interaction. Guests with special dietary needs can bring their own food.

For the recertification this year, Sesame Place parks in PA and also in San Diego completed an onsite review by IBCCES, resulting in the development of sensory guides and pre-planning resources. The certification and renewal processes require extensive specialized training for employees, focusing on sensory awareness, motor skills, program development, communication and emotional awareness.

This year, Sesame Place Ambassadors completed additional certifications in neurodiversity as well as related first responder training to expand their skills and knowledge.

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month during April, Sesame Place parks will give away free Sesame Street storybooks “A Little Bit Different, A Little Bit the Same,” and “We’re Amazing: 1, 2, 3! Storybooks” while supplies last. In addition, Julia will be available for meet-and-greets throughout April.

Sesame Place is located at 100 Sesame Rd. in Langhorne, PA. For more information, visit sesameplace.com or call 1-215-702-ELMO.

  • Jennifer Amato contributed to this story.

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