As the research surrounding Autism has increased, we have also seen an increase in the awareness and acceptance of Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Community outreach programs are helping young adults get access to occupational therapy resources, gain valuable job experience, and learn skills to lead an independent life.
All these things coming together have helped increase awareness in the social sphere and have led to several meaningful advancements. One such advancement is currently occurring in the recreation sphere. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many spaces had to shut down out of precaution. One such place, Water World, located in Colorado, used this down time to implement a variety of features to make the water park more accessible to children and families with neurodevelopmental disabilities. These features include things such as a low sensory room, detailed maps of the attraction with a guide to the sights, sounds, and smells each attraction can bring. These steps not only have made a world of difference for children with autism but it is a sign that awareness for all individuals and acceptance is increasing. The tremendous amount of work Water World put in earned them national accreditation as a Certified Autism Center. We hope that Water World is only the beginning and the recreation sphere continues to make the space easier for individuals with autism to enjoy. For other resources related to neurodevelopmental disabilities, please see our resources page!