Brimbank Park has been chosen for a Victorian-first pilot project to help children on the autism spectrum play more freely.
Parents can access a Parks Victoria-designed online ‘script’ which features photos of things their children might encounter at the park – a bird’s nest, the sandpit, planes overhead – and simple text.
Parents choose what seems relevant and can print out a booklet for the children.
Noisy, busy environments can create sensory overload that many children with autism find difficult – the ‘script’ prepares them for what they might encounter before they get to the park.
The project has been designed with help from autism advocacy organisation Amaze.
Its community engagement manager Deidre Hardy said the scripts were a common technique to alleviate anxiety.
Parks Victoria education and interpretation co-ordinator Roellen Little said Brimbank Park was the perfect first step in the program, as it had already been designed to be inclusive of children with disabilities.
Sunshine resident Tania Cuni’s twins Michael and Joseph are both on the autism spectrum.
She said using the script made them feel welcome and supported.
“Often the children are so anxious they are not able to enjoy themselves when they go out,” she said.
“This park allows us to have a positive experience.”
View the script at: parkweb.vic.gov.au
