Photo credit: Coolcaesar licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
by Daniel Fink, MD, Chair, The Quiet Coalition
USA Today reports that LEGOLAND parks are becoming more autism-friendly. According to the report, by the end of March 2023, all three LEGOLAND parks in the United States will be officially be Certified Autism Centers. Every attraction at each resort has been rated for its level of stimulation on each of the five senses: hearing, sight, smell, touch and taste. Guests can find sensory guides with these ratings online, printed in the parks and posted outside attractions.
For unclear reasons, the incidence of autism spectrum disorders appears to be increasing, with approximately one out of every 50 children in the country being diagnosed with autism. People on the autism spectrum may be more sensitive to stimulation, including loud noises, than others.
There is no need for amusement parks and other public spaces to be noisy. Quieter places will be better not only for those on the autism spectrum, but for everyone who wants to protect auditory health.
A quieter world will be a healthier and better world for all.
