piddle parks are filled with spatter , cry , and fast rides — all likely trigger for autistic guest prone to sensory overload . This trouble is bake into the pattern of most body of water parks , but as theOrlando Sentinelreports , SeaWorld ’s Aquatica Orlando park in Florida is take measure toward being more inclusive of guests across the autism spectrum . It is formally the first common of its kind to bedesignateda Certified Autism Center ( CAC ) by the International Board of Credentialling and Continuing Education Standards .
After arriving atthe park , groups can plantheir dayusing an autism - friendly guide that rates how much each ride stimulates the five sentiency . A water sloping trough with lots of hills and turns ranks luxuriously on the touch graduated table , for example , and a coloured playground area grade high on the sight scale .
If guests ever decide they need a break from the excitement of the day , they can recede to aquiet zonewith dimmable lights and comfortable seats . Aquatica stave members have also been direct to serve the needs of park guest withautism .
syndicate may be hesitating to take kids with autism to loud , overstimulating space like pools and water parking area , but make them those experiences betimes in life can be valuable . Between 2009 and 2011 in the U.S. , accidental drowning was the campaign of 90 percent of deaths for small fry with autism spectrum disorder under old age 14 . Gary Weitzen , executive director ofPOAC Autism Services , toldAquatics Internationalin 2016 that " Getting them exposed to body of water , teaching them to swim , and show them the proper way to act in a pool literally can be lifesaving for these children . "
Aquatica Orlando is just the late kin attraction to receive theCACstamp of favorable reception . In April of last year , Sesame Placein Pennsylvania reopened for the season as the first - ever theme park to reduplicate as a Certified Autism Center .
[ h / tOrlando Sentinel ]
