Destiny USA organizes sensory events

In the Destiny USA shopping center, several entertainment companies are working to integrate sensory events, including WonderWorks, Apex Entertainment and Museum of Intrigue.

WonderWorks, a 40,000 square foot fun entertainment center, as shown on its website, hosts sensory days throughout the year. These days allow families with disabled children to have the opportunity to exclusively enjoy the park.

Alysn Lyons, Syracuses WonderWorks sales and marketing coordinator, said that WonderWorks is taking many steps to become a sensory environment during Sensory Days. She said it slows down music, as well as all noisy devices, to create a more inclusive environment.

Lyons, who has been working with WonderWorks for almost a year, said that she thinks the days have become more popular as she has seen attendance increase.

We want to create an environment in which everyone is welcome and comfortable, said Lyons.

She said that while there is little work the park has to do to become sensitive to the senses, the days are priceless for families who may not be able to enjoy the park on a typical day .

Sam Miller, the marketing director of Apex Entertainment in Marlborough, Massachusetts, said that he had generated the idea for autism awareness hours for Apex. The one-hour sensory friendly events take place on the first Saturday of each month.

I was the person who initially started the conversation with autism advocates in Massachusetts and talked to them about what a welcoming environment for autism is and how to become one, said Miller.

Apex includes attractions such as bumper cars, arcades and bowling.

Miller said the Massachusetts Apex has partnered with a non-profit autism organization that has made recommendations on how to make the facility welcoming. He added that most of the suggestions were to dim the lights and turn the music down, as the environment can be very stimulating.

We have autism-friendly kits that include sunglasses to help dim the lights, headphones if the music is overwhelming, and small toys so they can be distracted, said Miller. We also have a special room if someone needs to dial.

Miller said he had personally seen the need for environments to be inclusive for all.

We hear stories about parents and their children who may have an episode and how other parents would judge them, give them hostile glances, or say Why can't you control your child? Said Miller. And it's not necessarily their fault, the situation they're in and how it can be overstimulating.

Miller said hearing these stories was heartbreaking.

Although the hours are specifically reserved for people and families with autism, Miller said everyone is welcome.

This time, it's mainly for people who are on the spectrum and their families, said Miller. We try to leave this to them specifically so that they can have an environment where they are comfortable and do not feel judged.

Currently, autism hours are held at the Apex sites of Marlborough, Massachusetts and Syracuse.

Finally, the Intrigue Museum, which serves as an escape center, is a sensory environment every day 24/7. Director Leila Dean says that being an environment sensory was of great importance to co-owner Nicole Ginsburg.

We have sensory backpacks on our sites that include different items, quiet spaces, noise canceling headphones, and weighted blankets for those who feel overwhelmed, said Dean.

Dean explained that by being a center of continuous sensory entertainment, everyone is welcome.

Everyone wants to have fun, right? Said Dean. Everyone wants to explore and experience an adventure in their life. By being all inclusive, we help all families to enjoy the adventure.