{"id":5421,"date":"2013-03-25T15:43:00","date_gmt":"2013-03-25T15:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.metrokids.com\/index.php\/2013\/03\/25\/differences-welcome\/"},"modified":"2023-08-16T20:02:09","modified_gmt":"2023-08-16T20:02:09","slug":"differences-welcome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.metrokids.com\/differences-welcome\/","title":{"rendered":"Differences Welcome"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scroll down to read about special needs & sensory-friendly programs and events for families & children in the Philadelphia, South Jersey & Delaware areas. Or, click on an event in the list below for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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– Autism Awareness events & Special Needs days<\/a> 
\n\t\t\thosted by Variety – The Children’s Charity, various
\n\t\t\tlocations<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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– Sensory Friendly Film Screenings<\/a>, various locations<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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– KidZooU<\/a> at the Philadelphia Zoo<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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– Philadelphia YMCA programs<\/a><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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– Huddle Up for Autism<\/a> with the Philadelphia Eagles<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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– Sahara Sam's Oasis Water Park<\/a>, West Berlin, NJ<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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– Garden State Discovery Museum<\/a>, Cherry Hill, NJ<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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– Delaware Children's Museum<\/a>, Wilmington, DE<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Variety programs<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

These programs are hosted by <\/a>Variety – The Children's Charity<\/a>, an organization that provides special needs families with resources as well as recreational & educational activities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Autism Awareness Nights<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n

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Variety Day<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

When: <\/strong>April 6
\n\t\t\tWhere:<\/strong> Please Touch Museum<\/a> in Philadelphia<\/td>\n		When:<\/strong> April 20
\n\t\t\tWhere: <\/strong>Sesame Place<\/a> in Langhorne, PA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
When: <\/strong>April 27
\n\t\t\tWhere: <\/strong>Adventure Aquarium<\/a> in
\n\t\t\tCamden, NJ<\/td>\n		What:<\/strong> For families with kids with physical 
\n\t\t\tand\/or developmental disabilities.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What:<\/strong> For families with kids on
\n\t\t\tthe autism spectrum.<\/td>\n		 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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Special features:<\/strong> Accommodations are made to ensure sensory comfort as kids explore exhibits and attractions, and parents can collect information from various special needs-related organizations.<\/p>\n

Details:<\/strong> To attend, families must register through Variety to verify their children’s disabilities<\/a>; the registration fee for each event is donated to Variety.<\/p>\n

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Sensory Friendly Films<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

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When:<\/strong> April 6, June 1 & 29 (Recurring almost every month)<\/em><\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong> AMC Theatres in Allentown, Bensalem, Philadelphia, Springfield and West Chester, PA, and Cherry Hill and Hamilton, NJ.<\/p>\n

Related Articles<\/p>\n

V<\/a>isit the Caring Easter Bunny<\/a><\/p>\n

S<\/a>panning the Spectrum<\/a><\/div>\n

Special features:<\/strong> The lights are turned up, the sound is turned down and guests may walk around, dance or sing during the film.<\/p>\n

Details:<\/strong> Check with your local theater<\/a> for movie schedules. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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KidZooU at the Philadelphia Zoo<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

When:<\/strong> Opens April 13 (Ongoing programming)<\/em><\/p>\n

What:<\/strong> Permanent indoor\/outdoor children’s zoo where visitors get hands-on with animal care.<\/p>\n

Special features:<\/strong> Braille, sign language and a picture-exchange communication system for kids with autism.<\/p>\n

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Who:<\/strong> The Philadelphia Zoo<\/a> worked with the Center for Autism Research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia<\/a> and the Overbrook School for the Blind<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Details:<\/strong> Exploration included with regular admission.<\/p>\n

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Philadelphia YMCA programs<\/strong><\/a>
\nThe Y regularly offers ability programs such as aquatic & karate classes and “teen nights” to provide learning in a safe, non-competitive, success-oriented atmosphere. To find special needs programming in your area, visit Philaymca.org<\/a><\/div>\n

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\"Philadelphia<\/p>\n

Huddle Up for Autism<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

When:<\/strong> April 14<\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong> Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia<\/p>\n

What:<\/strong> Meet-&-greets with Eagles’ players, games, arts & crafts and field & locker room tours.<\/p>\n

Special features: <\/strong>Child specialists, quiet rooms and gluten-free concessions stands available. To prevent overwhelming guests, the event is limited to 5,000 attendees.<\/p>\n

Who:<\/strong> Collaboration between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Center for Autism Research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Details:<\/strong> Event is free, but advance registration is required<\/a>, and spots fill up quickly!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Special Evening for Special Needs<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

When:<\/strong> May 10 (Recurring a few times per year)<\/em><\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong> Sahara Sam’s Oasis<\/a> in West Berlin, NJ<\/p>\n

Special features:<\/strong> Access to most water attractions with a quiet room for resting. Lights & audio throughout the park are turned down to accommodate guests with sensory issues.<\/p>\n

Details:<\/strong> Tickets are offered at a discounted price. Visit the website<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

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Open Arms: Family Evening\"\"<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

When:<\/strong> May 26, Aug. 4 & Nov. 10 
\n(Recurring a few times per year)<\/em><\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong> Garden State Discovery Museum<\/a> in Cherry Hill, NJ<\/p>\n

What: <\/strong>Open play for families with kids on the autism spectrum.<\/p>\n

Special features:<\/strong> Event is afterhours to ensure a calm environment, and audio is turned down. Kids can rest in a quiet room, and a sensory area includes activities like drawing with shaving cream.<\/p>\n

Details: <\/strong>Admission is free.<\/p>\n

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Sensory-focused activities<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

When:<\/strong> Ongoing programming.<\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong> Delaware Children’s Museum<\/a> in Wilmington, DE<\/p>\n

What:<\/strong> Activities vary; Kids can squeeze noodles in vegetable oil, dig for mystery items buried in dry rice or beans or play with goop made from cornstarch and water.<\/p>\n

Special features: <\/strong>Sensory-focused activities in the art studio, a quieter, confined area of the museum.<\/p>\n

Details:<\/strong> Check website<\/a> for current programming. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For additional special needs events, listings, resources & articles, visit MetroKids.com\/specialkids<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n

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