Edaville Family Theme Park Offers Sensory-Friendly Weekend and Accommodations for Visitors

As part of Autism Awareness Month, Edaville Family Theme Park in Carver, Massachusetts will host a sensory-friendly weekend for visitors on the autism spectrum.

The weekend’s festivities include educational and informational events as well as a “Touch a Truck” event featuring emergency vehicles. During the event, music will be turned down and the park’s trains will feature a softer blast. (Trains are required to sound their horns by law.)

Edaville, which features a railroad, has transformed one of the train cars into a quiet space for people on the autism spectrum. The car includes weighted blankets and fidget toys, which visitors can use while waiting in line. Edaville’s bathrooms are also designed to be sensory-friendly, eliminating noisy automatic toilets and hand dryers. These features are available year-round.

To make the park more accessible to those with sensory sensitivities, Cherie Daly, Edaville’s group sales director and special needs specialist, whose son is on the autism spectrum, spoke with educators, teachers, physical therapists and occupational therapists. Daly also hosted a discussion panel allowing families with autism to share ways the park could be adapted to suit the needs of individuals on the autism spectrum.

“Sensory Friendly Awareness Weekend, where everyone is welcome, is focused on inclusion, celebrating and having family fun,” Daly said. “We are very proud of the sensory friendly initiatives we put into place in 2016 that are available throughout the year. Our goal is to address the needs of all children, in the hope that all families will join us in creating lasting family memories.”

Edaville is not the only sensory-friendly theme park. Earlier this month, Legoland Florida announced a number of sensory-friendly initiative for visitors on the autism spectrum.

Edaville’s “Sensory Friendly Awareness Weekend” takes place from April 22 to April 23. Tickets are $27.00 and can be purchased online.