Sensory Sundays: Chuck E. Cheese's Initiative For Neurodivergent Children

Chuck E. Cheese's Sensory Sensitive Sundays were launched in 2017 as part of the brand's commitment to supporting families with children with autism and other special needs. The program provides a quieter dining and entertainment environment with dimmed lighting and reduced noise and crowds, creating a sensory-friendly experience for children facing sensory challenges. The initiative, in partnership with the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, received positive feedback from parents and has since expanded to include more locations.

Chuck E. Cheese's Sensory Sensitive Sundays

The initiative was first introduced as a three-month test run at 54 locations in the Northeast and received an immense amount of positive feedback from parents and autism organizations. Due to its success and overwhelming interest, Chuck E. Cheese's decided to expand the program nationally. The national expansion was announced on March 28, 2017, with 355 locations offering Sensory Sensitive Sundays beginning on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day.

Sensory Sensitive Sundays are held on the first Sunday of every month, two hours before the restaurant opens to the general public. This allows families in the autism community to enjoy Chuck E. Cheese's with smaller crowds, reduced noise and lighting, and limited appearances of costumed characters, creating a calmer and more suitable environment for children with sensory challenges.

Chuck E. Cheese's partnership with the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) has been instrumental in the development and expansion of Sensory Sensitive Sundays. CARD's mission is to provide trusted and high-quality care to empower people with autism and their families to live their happiest and most successful lives. Through this partnership, Chuck E. Cheese's aims to extend its ideal of "where a kid can be a kid" to children with autism and special needs, ensuring they have the same opportunity to enjoy the experience.

The Sensory Sensitive Sundays program has been well-received by families and is part of Chuck E. Cheese's ongoing commitment to the autism community. The company continues to explore ways to expand and improve the program to reach and include as many families as possible.

A quieter dining and entertainment environment

Chuck E. Cheese's Sensory Sensitive Sundays is a dedicated program for kids with autism and special needs. The program offers a quieter dining and entertainment environment with dimmed lighting and a sensory-friendly arcade experience. The program takes place two hours before the restaurant opens to the general public, with smaller crowds, lowered volume, and limited appearances of costumed characters. This creates a calmer and more suitable environment for children with sensory challenges.

The sensory-sensitive program is a joint event between Chuck E. Cheese's and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD). CARD is a leading autism treatment provider, with a mission to provide the most trusted and highest-quality care to empower people with autism and their families. The partnership between Chuck E. Cheese's and CARD brings together expertise in family entertainment and autism treatment, creating a safe and enjoyable experience for families affected by autism.

The Sensory Sensitive Sundays program is typically held on the first Sunday of every month, with additional events during World Autism Month in April. The event is hosted at select Chuck E. Cheese fun centers across the United States and Canada, with a goal to create an inclusive environment for all. The fun centers open two hours early, providing a quieter and calmer atmosphere for children with sensory sensitivities.

The initiative has received positive feedback from parents, who appreciate the opportunity for their children to enjoy Chuck E. Cheese's in a sensory-friendly environment. The program aligns with Chuck E. Cheese's commitment to providing a fun, safe, and inclusive environment for all families. Through Sensory Sensitive Sundays and other initiatives, Chuck E. Cheese's strives to create positive, lifelong memories for families of children with autism and special needs.

Dimmed lighting and lower volume

Chuck E. Cheese's Sensory Sensitive Sundays are designed to create a calmer environment for children with autism and other special needs. The initiative involves dimmed lighting and lower volume, as well as reduced crowds and limited appearances of costumed characters. These measures help to address the sensory challenges that children with autism may face, ensuring they can enjoy the fun and entertainment offered by Chuck E. Cheese in a more comfortable setting.

The Sensory Sensitive Sundays program is a joint effort between Chuck E. Cheese and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD). It was first introduced as a three-month test run at 54 locations in the Northeast, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from parents and autism organizations. Due to its success, the program was expanded nationally to include 355 restaurants across the United States and Canada, with the official launch taking place on Sunday, April 2, in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day.

The sensory-sensitive program is offered two hours before the restaurants open to the general public, providing families with a quieter dining and entertainment experience. The dimmed lighting and lower volume are key components of creating a soothing atmosphere for children with sensory sensitivities. This initiative demonstrates Chuck E. Cheese's commitment to inclusivity and their dedication to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all guests.

The company's CEO, David McKillips, emphasized their ongoing dedication to providing a safe, fun, and inclusive environment for families with children on the autism spectrum or with other sensory needs. He attributed this commitment to their long-standing partnership with Autism Speaks, a nonprofit organization working towards creating an inclusive world for individuals with autism. Chuck E. Cheese has raised significant funds for Autism Speaks through various initiatives and continues to support the autistic community through multiple sponsorships and training programs for their staff.

Trained and caring staff

Chuck E. Cheese's Sensory Sensitive Sundays are made possible by trained and caring staff who ensure that each guest has a safe and fun-filled visit. The staff's training and sensitivity to the needs of children with autism and other special needs are crucial to the success of the program.

The staff at Chuck E. Cheese are dedicated to creating a positive and inclusive environment for all guests. They undergo sensitivity training to understand the unique needs of children with autism and other sensory sensitivities. This training equips them with the knowledge and skills to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for every child who visits.

The Sensory Sensitive Sundays program offers a quieter dining and entertainment environment with dimmed lighting and reduced noise levels. The trained staff are attentive to each child's needs, ensuring that they can fully participate in the activities and have a memorable experience. They are committed to accommodating individual requirements and providing a supportive atmosphere.

In addition to their sensitivity training, the staff's caring attitude is a key component of the program's effectiveness. They understand the importance of making each child feel welcomed and valued. By creating a warm and friendly atmosphere, they help families feel comfortable and assured that their children are in capable hands. The staff's dedication to inclusivity and their genuine care for the well-being of each guest contribute to a positive experience for all.

The partnership between Chuck E. Cheese and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) has been instrumental in developing the Sensory Sensitive Sundays program. CARD's expertise in autism treatment and research has enhanced the staff's ability to cater to the specific needs of children with autism. This collaboration ensures that the staff are well-trained, informed, and compassionate towards each guest, making Sensory Sensitive Sundays a safe and enjoyable experience for all participating families.

Partnership with Center for Autism and Related Disorders

Chuck E. Cheese's Sensory Sensitive Sundays is a program designed to offer a supportive and safe environment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other special needs to enjoy the fun of visiting Chuck E. Cheese's restaurants. The program involves creating a quieter dining and entertainment space with dimmed lighting, reduced volume, and limited appearances of costumed characters to minimise sensory overload.

The initiative is a partnership between Chuck E. Cheese and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), a leading autism treatment provider with over 30 years of unmatched clinical research. CARD's mission is to provide the highest quality care and empower individuals with autism and their families to live their best and most successful lives.

The partnership between Chuck E. Cheese and CARD is a natural fit, with both organisations sharing a commitment to creating inclusive and enjoyable experiences for children with special needs. By working together, they have been able to effectively develop and expand the Sensory Sensitive Sundays program to meet the needs of the autism community.

The program first began as a three-month test run at 54 locations in the Northeast, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents and autism organisations. This led to the national expansion of the program, with 355 locations across the United States and Canada participating. The official launch of Sensory Sensitive Sundays took place on Sunday, April 2, in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day.

Through this partnership with CARD, Chuck E. Cheese has demonstrated its dedication to providing a fun and safe environment for all children. The Sensory Sensitive Sundays program is a testament to their commitment to inclusivity and creating joyful experiences for every guest. The partnership has been instrumental in bringing this initiative to life and ensuring that children with autism and their families can create positive, lifelong memories together.

Frequently asked questions