ATTRACTIONS UPDATE
a statement.
To maintain their certification,
Aquatica Orlando must take the
autism training every two years.
“As the first water park in the
world to complete the training and
become a Certified Autism Center,
Aquatica Orlando is proud to provide
fun and memorable experiences
through exceptional service,” said
David Heaton, Vice President of
Aquatica Orlando in a statement.
“We continually strive to create safe
and meaningful experiences for all of
our guests, and we are committed in
our efforts to offer families inclusive
activities for children with autism and
other special needs.”
Guest will now have access to services
and tools which include pre-visit
planning resources on the Aquatica
Website, such as a sensory guide
developed by IBCCES, and specific
information about attractions and
experiences to help guests make
the best decision that suits their
individual needs.
“IBCCES is proud to work with
Aquatica Orlando and other leaders
in the industry to increase the
availability of certified options and
help individuals have a safe and
enriching experience when traveling
or visiting a new place,” said Myron
Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman.
“With the rise in diagnosis rates of
cognitive disorders, there is a huge
specific information about attractions need for these options and for
and experiences, along with in park organizations to make a long-lasting
accommodations to help them make commitment to their guests.”
informed choices best suited to their
individual needs. Several expanded This certification follows that of
map signs break down the rides, another SeaWorld-owned property,
rating them by the five senses, to give Pennsylvania’s Sesame Place, as it
parents a warning this ride isn’t the became the world’s first certified
autism center theme park last April.
right fit for their child.
Both SeaWorld and Aquatica began
“We continually strive to create safe providing free admission to Florida
and meaningful experiences for all of children aged 5 and under at the
our guests, and we are committed in start of this year. SeaWorld’s nearby
our efforts to offer families inclusive Discovery Cove has also received
activities for children with autism and IBCCES Certification.
other special needs,” Heaton said in
Team members will be continually
trained to assist guests with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and
their families, to help ensure a
positive experience during their
visit. Aquatica Orlando says that the
autism training focuses on areas of
sensory awareness, environment,
communication, motor and social
skills, program development and
emotional awareness, along with an
autism competency exam.
Guests will also be provided with
MARCH 2019
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WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE |
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