Did you know Phoenix, AZ is considered the most “autism-friendly city”?
My relationship with Arizona is very bittersweet. However, I think one of the best things that have happened to us by moving to Arizona is all of the wonderful resources that have been available to us for our son (and other individuals with special needs.) A few years ago we found out that our son has Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and ADHD. Even though we were already doing therapy we wondered about the world around him. When Mesa, Arizona was announced as the first-ever autism-certified city, I immediately wanted to know what that meant. Mesa already leads united states cities on accessibility, but it was great hearing the public-facing staff also has autism training.
What does it mean to be Autism Certified?
The first thing I did was head to the Visit Mesa webpage to see what this meant for us. On the website, it says, “The ACC designation, awarded by IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards,) is given to communities where key stakeholders, including healthcare, education, local government, hospitality, leisure, and corporate members are trained and certified to better serve individuals with autism and other cognitive disorders. Mesa is the first city to be designated as such.”
There is an urgent need for increased accessibility alternatives in the hospitality industry. Due to a lack of staff understanding or support, many autistic and sensory-sensitive people and their families find it difficult to even get past the planning stages of a vacation. Getting autism certification training means addressing the needs of ASD travelers, and making sure they feel welcomed, safe, and above all, have fun.
What is the benefit of becoming a certified autism center designation?
- Improve the quality of life for residents
- Increase tourism and visitors from an underserved market
- Increase community engagement
- Enhanced workforce opportunities
- Create a distinct inclusive brand, nationally and internationally
Is Mesa Riverview Park a certified autism center?
The autism travel guide has a ton of certified autism resources listed for families like ours. Mesa parks have been recognized as a Playful City USA community. That means they utilize play as an innovative solution to address a number of challenges facing kids, families, and communities. So my family and I decided to go out exploring and experience the country’s first Autism-Certified City! One of our first stops was Mesa Riverview Park.
Not only is it the Spring Training home of the Chicago Cubs, but it has a fishing lake and a splash pad. I think one of the really awesome features is the “Sensory Guide.” It helps prepare anyone with sensory sensitivities or a sensory disorder in advance for your visit. It gives you sensory notes and ranks the sensory level from 1-10. My son really enjoyed the Genesis Climbing Tower. Because of the guide, I knew it would be stimulating to him and he would satisfy his proprioceptive input.
What are sensory guides?
You are going to see me mention these certified sensory guides. The IBCCES developed this Sensory Guide to determine whether a playground or attraction would be “sensory suitable” for a person with a cognitive disorder/sensory sensitivity. Anyone with special needs can look up these guides in advance and make an educated decision on what activities to participate in.
Has IDEA Museum received autism certification?
In order to be considered a certified autism center™, at least 80% of the staff has to be trained and certified in the field of Autism, they are committed to ongoing training in autism, and they have to be dedicated to serving individuals with autism. Our next stop was the IDEA Museum I’m not going to lie, I don’t know why I had no clue about this awesome place! They have a music creation station, tech table, and tot table (my boys’ absolute favorite part!) Just to name a few. Because of the sensory guide, I knew there was going to be a lot of ground to cover and knew to focus on certain areas first.
However, as soon as my kids walked in I knew why it was one of the family-friendly attractions. This place needed no explanation. It is a complete hands-on experience. All of the activities are STEAM-focused. It inspired their creativity and their love of art. Through imagination and play, I saw my sons experiencing life without a care in the world. Watching them at this moment reminded me of innocence. A time when life was simple and not yet spoiled by the nonsense around us. That’s why children need places like this.
Look out for Part 2 of our tour of Mesa!
This is in no way a complete list of certified autism centers in Mesa. And as the parent of a child on the spectrum, I’m not only concerned with the travel experiences. I also care about public safety and what these certification programs mean for the safety of autistic people. Knowing that law enforcement officers learn how to interact with autistic individuals in community and emergency settings and reduce the possibility of misunderstanding or escalation when real situations arise. Helps to put me at ease.
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