People with autism now have an extraordinary new place to experience the joy of water play. The latest inclusive Aquatix® splash pad is part of The Ron and Rose Bowen Family Autism Center – a new facility developed by Aces for Autism, a non-profit organization that serves individuals and families impacted by autism. The state-of-the-art campus, located in Winterville, North Carolina, provides a wealth of resources designed for the specific needs of people on the autism spectrum and their caregivers.
The 24-acre campus offers children and adults with autism access to valuable therapeutic options that can otherwise be hard to come by. It includes learning labs and therapy spaces where individuals can receive valuable ABA therapy, learn life skills such as doing laundry and cooking, and explore unique sensory opportunities. Every detail of the facility’s design aims to make people with autism feel comfortable and welcome — from the calming paint colors to the natural lighting choices.
In addition to the indoor therapeutic spaces, the campus includes an outdoor recreation area with an inclusive Aquatix splash pad and multi-sensory Landscape Structures playground. The splash pad is an experience-rich AquaSmart® Package design that includes gentle ground sprays, friendly-looking TotPack animal features, refreshing overhead streaming elements and an interactive tactile water-play station. Aquatix partner Ingrid Kanics of Kanics Inclusive Design Services worked with the Aces for Autism team of therapists to design the splash pad and playground areas, making specific considerations for the sensory and experiential needs of people with autism.
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility took place on January 30, 2024.
Read more about the Ron and Rose Bowen Family Autism Center.
