Hacks for Parents with Ausome children!
- Jasmine Thompson
- Jul 18, 2024
- 5 min read
It can be quite frustrating for me when I take my child out and there are no facilities or activities that are safe for them. For instance, I recently attended a birthday party with my child at a venue that had an arcade and indoor theme park.
Upon arrival, I quickly realized that keeping my 2-year-old safe and entertained would be a challenge. After scanning the area, I located three activities she could enjoy: a bounce house, a play gym, and a merry-go-round.
I was not allowed to stay close to my child on the bounce house or play gym to ensure her safety. I wanted to be nearby in case she got hurt or needed my assistance. The staff not only refused my request but also treated me rudely.
While the other parents socialized and their children played together, my child and I found ourselves isolated. It's not just our children who feel alone in such settings, but us parents as well. I felt sadness for my child and also for myself, struggling to connect with other mothers is tough.
On the bright side, there are numerous places where you can bring your ausome children to interact with other ausome children. Various places provide sensory-friendly activities, and there are even venues designed specifically for children with special needs/autism.
Local children's museums and kid friendly places might even offer discounted memberships for special needs children.
Here a few located in the southwest suburbs in the chicagoland area:
This list is only a reflection of local places that I know of, please feel free to list more in the comment section below!
Play allows kids to make new discoveries, explore new spaces, share experiences, and see themselves and their world in new and exciting ways. For 30 years, DuPage Children’s Museum has been inspiring children and their adults with experiences that encourage curiosity, discovery, and collaboration.
Adaptive Play:
This monthly event provides a modified environment for play and learning for children and their caregivers. It is intended for families with disabilities, on the autism spectrum and/or with sensory processing disorders. Pre-registration is required.
We Rock the Spectrum provides children with a fun and motivational environment to help them in the areas of strength, movement, sensory processing, communication, positive behavior modification, social interactions, and self-care skills.
Everyone at Play
The Museum works collaboratively with community organizations to invite families with children with special needs to the Museum to explore the exhibits while closed to the general public. These FREE events, usually occur on specified afternoons. This provides opportunities for calm, creative, and collaborative play.
AMC Sensory Friendly Films
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month.
Sensory Sundays
Through our Sensory Sensitive Sundays program we’re able to offer families a quieter dining and entertainment environment, dimmed lighting and a sensory-friendly arcade experience. Our sensory-friendly events also include a trained and caring staff to ensure each guest has a safe, fun-filled visit.
Special Needs Screenings are designed for families raising children with special needs. Special Needs Screenings are shown with the lights up and the volume lowered and children are free to move around, talk, or even dance in the aisles during the movie. The sensory friendly screenings are free for children with special needs and their siblings. Adult tickets are available at before-noon price. Showtimes can vary by location. Parental guidance is suggested.
Zoo Camp
At Zoo Camp, we remove barriers so all children can participate, regardless of ability. This means that children with and without disabilities and special needs are participating together in camp activities. Zoo Camp provides reasonable accommodations so activities can be adapted to individual needs and abilities. We are pleased to have a dedicated inclusion specialist on staff who trains and supports our camp counselor staff in providing inclusive experiences and making sure the zoo is for all campers.
SENSORY FRIENDLY FAMILY ROOM
Located in Hamill Family Play Zoo, this quiet space provides a low-sensory environment and a calming atmosphere. It includes a variety of fidgets, sensory-support materials, comfortable seating, and dimmable lights.
RESOURCE CENTER
Also located in Hamill Family Play Zoo, this resource center provides guests with resources, items, and materials that help enhance their experience here at the zoo. Resources include visual schedules, social stories, noise-reducing headphones, magazines, articles, and more.
BZC Kits
These complimentary kits are available at the North and South Guest Relations booths and are designed for guests with sensory disabilities and include visual schedule books, noise-reducing headphones, name tags, "if lost" ID bracelets, and stickers. Large-print maps with access information are also available to give you special instructions before entering the park. To learn more about our accessible amenities, visit our Accessibility page.Chicago Children’s Museum:
Sound-reducing Headphones Sound-reducing headphones are available at the Ticket Desk for free checkout on a first-come, first-served basis with photo identification. They are also available at self-serve kiosks on floors 2 and 3.
Storybook GuidesStorybook Guides are available at the Ticket Desk for free checkout on a first-come, first-served basis with photo identification. They are also available at self-serve kiosks, with the Earmuffs, on floors 2 and 3.
Lap TraysPortable lap trays that provide a stable surface are available at the Ticket Desk for free checkout on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional ItemsAdditional items such as portable lap trays, fidgets, communication boards, and more may be made available. Ask any staff member during your visit.
Field Museum for All
Field for All app
Our free mobile app helps families and groups—including visitors with autism and disabilities—plan their visit with resources like exhibition previews, customizable schedules, and a sensory-friendly museum map.
Sensory Bags
We understand that the Museum can be overwhelming for some and if your visit would be better accommodated with the use of a sensory bag, feel free to visit our Visitor Center on the ground floor. These include various fidgets, sunglasses, headphones, and emotion cards we hope may better the Museum experience.
Sensory-friendly Hours at Lincoln Park Zoo benefit guests of all ages who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, sensory sensitive, or autistic. These special events are also designed for people living with dementia, blind or low vision, or chronic illnesses, plus members of the Deaf community.
During sensory-friendly times such as Sensory-friendly Mornings, Sensory-friendly Days, and Sensory-friendly ZooLights, guests experience the zoo grounds and animal buildings in a comfortable and inclusive way. These events happen once a quarter.
Sensory-friendly Mornings are free events that give guests access to the zoo before regular opening hours. Animal buildings and attractions are available for self-paced exploration. Crowd size is limited, and this event requires registration.
Sensory-friendly Days are full-day events that limit crowds in a designated part of the zoo. This is a free event, but guests must register.
Sensory-friendly ZooLights evenings offer limited capacity, static light displays, muted attractions, and music at low volume. ZooLights is a ticketed event.
The Sensory Garden Playground is a combination of sensory-integrated playground equipment and amenities along with gardening areas. The 37-acre facility is being developed in phases as funding becomes available.
Comments