Summer vacation is a time we look forward to. The time when people can disengage from work and school. A time to possibly travel and relax. Autistics, like other folx, like to have that break too. There is a slight problem with that: sensory overload.
A lot of summer activities are high energy, loud, and crowded. Let’s examine an amusement park. Let’s say we’re going to Six Flags. Of course you are not alone at Six Flags. You most likely have friends and/or family with you.
You have to enter the park. That means you need to get in line with a ton of people. There is no organization. It’s pure chaos! Then you must fit through a narrow confining space, which means you must coordinate your body. And you must interact with staff to give them your ticket.
You are now inside Six Flags. All around you there are people. People moving in groups, waiting in lines, playing games, eating, laughing, and crying. You can smell food. Maybe something you like. Maybe something you dislike. You can smell body odor EVERYWHERE! You smell chlorine and dampness. Amusement parks are loud. There is no way around it. The sounds of games, a roller coaster clattering, music playing over loudspeakers… You get it. People bump into you. You step in puddles. You are either too hot or too cold. You get food. The popcorn has a lot of salt, maybe too much. The hot dog is filling, but greasy. After drinking a ton of soda, you can feel the corn syrup coating your tongue.
I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a nightmare to me! Yeah, you can have fun, but the amusement park drains you for at least three days. Well, for me at least. There are tons of other examples: fairs, parks, tours, music halls, zoos… So, how can you have fun? Well, there is some good news! Columbus, OH does have some sensory friendly places and activities.
COSI hands out free sensory bags to anyone who requests them. They also have a quiet room for decompression. They have periodic low sensory hours. Those are usually announced in their newsletter or on their website. Staff are responsive to customer needs and promptly provide information or resources.
For more information on COSI and accommodations go to: https://cosi.org/visit/amenities-and-accessibility
Another place that provides excellent accommodations and sensory friendly environments is the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium have constant activities and programs, and of course amazing animals. Quiet hours are offered periodically. They will be announced on the website or in their newsletter. Like COSI, they also have free sensory bags that you can use. The coolest accommodation they provide are sensory maps. These maps allow for you to plan where to go based on your sensory needs.
For more information go to: https://www.columbuszoo.org/accessibility or
Summer blockbusters… I don’t know about you, but I love the movies! However, it is not fully enjoyable for some people. Theaters get crowded and loud. Food and bathrooms smell. The theater is either too hot or too cold. So, what can you do? My favorite movie theater is the Crosswoods Marcus Cinema. It is always clean. It has great staff. It also tends to be quieter, even when there is a major premiere. The Crosswoods Marcus Cinema is known for its accessibility among certain populations. They will have sensory friendly screenings for the public. They are announced in their newsletter or on their website. You can also get a private screening or reserve the entire theater during off hours. I have been at Crosswoods Marcus Cinema at a reserved theater and screening. It was one of the most relaxing movie experiences I have ever had.
For more information go to: https://www.marcustheatres.com/marcus-specials/sensory-specific-films
https://www.marcustheatres.com/amenities/theatre-technology/reel-movies-for-real-needs
https://www.marcustheatres.com/amenities/theatre-technology/accessibility-devices
https://www.marcustheatres.com/