Aquatica has some exciting news!

The Orlando water park has completed a staff-wide autism sensitivity and awareness training to be a Certified Autism Center as distinguished by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). They are the first water park in the world to receive such a distinction.

“As the first water park in the world to complete the training and become a Certified Autism Center, Aquatica Orlando is proud to provide fun and memorable experiences through exceptional service,” said David Heaton, Vice President of Aquatica Orlando in a statement.   “We continually strive to create safe and meaningful experiences for all of our guests, and we are committed in our efforts to offer families inclusive activities for children with autism and other special needs.”

Working closely with IBCCES, Aquatica’s team members will be continually trained to assist guests with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. Guests will be given specific inflation about attractions and experiences, along with in-park accommodations to better help them plan their day.

Aquatica is now required to provide ongoing training to ensure that their staff has the requisite knowledge, skills, temperament and expertise to interact with families and children with special needs, specifically on the autism spectrum. The training includes sensory awareness, environment, communication, motor and social skills, program development, and emotional awareness.

Autism training must be taken every two years to maintain the certification.

Additionally, the water park has created a sensory guide and online resource to help parents better plan out their visit. The guide offers insight on how a child with sensory processing issues may be affected by each sense for each attraction. There is also a new quiet room next to Kata’s Kookaburra Cove with adjustable lighting and a comfortable seating area for guests to take a break.