Sensory-Friendly Morning Coming to the Maritime Aquarium

For some, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is a place with too many stimuli. So on Sun., April 29, the Aquarium is planning a special morning to give guests with sensory-processing differences a fun, comfortable and accepting environment.

During the “Sensory-Friendly Morning,” from 8 a.m. to noon, lights in the Aquarium will be lower, and music and other sounds will be turned down or off.

With the opening on April 29 at 8 a.m., two hours earlier than usual, special-needs guests averse to crowds will be less likely to encounter them.

In The Maritime Aquarium’s IMAX^® Theater, the 43-minute movie “Pandas” will be shown at 9 and 10 a.m. with the volume lowered and the theater lights dimmed less than usual. (An IMAX movie is included with Aquarium admission.)

Also on April 29, a special low-volume seal-training demonstration is planned for 8:30 a.m.  And the regular 11:45 a.m. seal-training demonstration will be delayed until noon.

A “quiet room” will be available for guests that need a place to calm. For families that need to leave within the first 30 minutes of arrival, passes will be available to come back and try again another day.

The Maritime Aquarium’s “Sensory-Friendly Mornings” are offered several times a year, after being designed with input from staff members with special-needs children and siblings, and from Easter Seals of Coastal Fairfield County. Training of Aquarium staff and volunteers was conducted by Cooperative Educational Services in Trumbull (CES).

Normal admission prices apply on “Sensory-Friendly Mornings”:  $24.95 for adults; $22.95 for youths (13-17) & seniors (65+); and $17.95 for ages 3-12. Children under 3 are free.

For more details about the popular Connecticut family attraction’s exhibits, IMAX movies and programs this spring, call (203) 852-0700 or go to maritimeaquarium.org.