February 14, 2017
Chuck E. Cheese/Facebook
Chuck E. Cheese locations throughout New Jersey, New York and New England will hold special hours on the first Sunday of the month for people on the autism spectrum as part of a pilot program.
Chuck E. Cheese, with its loud and flashing arcade games, singing mascots and energetic children, may not seem like an ideal place to take children with autism who often struggle with overstimulation.
But on the first Sunday of each month, New Jersey locations will turn down the action, including giving the mouse and his mascot friends the day off, to create a more sensory-friendly atmosphere for children on the spectrum.
The "Sensory Sensitive Sundays" are part of a new pilot program at locations throughout New Jersey, as well as in New York and New England, with special accommodating hours set aside from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the first Sunday each month through May.
The goal is to expand the concept nationally pending a successful outcome from the pilot program. The upcoming dates are March 5, April 2 and May 7.
A list of participating locations can be found here.
