by Donald Wood
Last updated: 4:06 PM ET, Tue April 2, 2019
SeaWorld Orlando announced Tuesday as part of World Autism Awareness Day that it has been designated as a certified autism center by The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
With the certification, SeaWorld joins Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove to become the first family of parks to be certified. The facility recently opened Sesame Street, a fully immersive and interactive six-acre land that features designated quiet spaces for those on the spectrum.
"We are incredibly proud to be the first family of Orlando theme parks to achieve these certifications," SeaWorld Orlando park president Mark Pauls said in a statement. "We want to create lasting memories for all our guests. As families start planning their summer travel, the resources and tools that our parks now offer can provide peace of mind for families with members that have autism and other special needs."
As part of the certification process, IBCCES worked with SeaWorld Orlando on staff-wide autism sensitivity and awareness training, as well as an onsite review of the park property and guest experience.
Earlier this year, Aquatica Orlando became the world's first water park to be recognized as a certified autism center and Discovery Cove in Orlando became the first all-inclusive day resort and animal interaction park in the U.S to be designated.
"Our parks and staff are now equipped to offer families inclusive activities, helping to ensure meaningful experiences for everyone," Pauls continued. "SeaWorld Orlando creates fun, educational experiences that are intended to be enjoyed by all. We think the training and the park specific sensory guides provide useful information to ensure that our guests are armed with all the information they need to prepare, be informed and enjoy their time at our parks."
The theme parks have also added pre-visit planning resources to the official SeaWorld website, including a park-specific sensory guide developed by IBCCES.
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