As a mom navigating the world of autism and ABA therapy in Colorado, I’ve discovered that the best learning often happens outside the therapy room. Integrating ABA principles into everyday outings not only reinforces my child’s development but also makes our adventures more meaningful. Here are five sensory-friendly places in Colorado where fun meets function, perfectly complementing the skills we’re building through ABA therapy.
1. The Sensory Club – Englewood
This membership-based sensory gym is a haven for children with autism. With equipment like swings, crash pads, and a multi-sensory environment room, it’s an ideal place to practice gross motor skills and self-regulation strategies. The controlled environment allows for the application of ABA techniques such as prompting and positive reinforcement in a real-world setting.https://www.thesensoryclub.com/denver/
📍 4301 S. Federal Blvd Suite 102/103, Englewood, CO 80110
🔗 Visit The Sensory Club
2. Butterfly Pavilion – Westminster
The Butterfly Pavilion offers Sensory Friendly Afternoons with natural lighting, quiet tones, and limited admission. It’s a fantastic setting to work on social skills and communication. Using ABA strategies, we practice initiating conversations about the exhibits and following multi-step instructions during our visit butterflies.org/sensory-friendly.
📍 6252 W. 104th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80020
🔗 Explore Sensory Friendly Afternoons
3. WOW! Children’s Museum – Lafayette
WOW! hosts Sensory Friendly Playtime sessions, reducing noise and crowd levels to create a comfortable environment.These sessions are perfect for practicing play skills, turn-taking, and following routines. The museum’s exhibits provide natural opportunities to apply ABA principles like modeling and reinforcement.wowchildrensmuseum.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1
📍 110 N. Harrison Ave, Lafayette, CO 80026
🔗 Learn About Sensory Friendly Playtimeen.wikipedia.org+1wowchildrensmuseum.org+1
4. Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
During Low-Sensory Evenings, the museum adjusts lighting and sound to accommodate sensory sensitivities. It’s an excellent venue for generalizing skills learned in ABA therapy, such as waiting, sharing, and requesting. The diverse exhibits encourage exploration and communication in a supportive setting.allrecipes.com+4mychildsmuseum.org+4denver.org+4
📍 2121 Children’s Museum Drive, Denver, CO 80211
🔗 Check Out Low-Sensory Evenings
5. Water World – Federal Heights
As Colorado’s first Certified Autism Center, Water World offers sensory guides, a low-sensory room, and trained staff to assist families. This environment supports the application of ABA techniques in a fun, dynamic setting, helping children practice adaptability and coping strategies waterworldcolorado.com.
📍 8801 N. Pecos St., Federal Heights, CO 80260
🔗 Discover Water World’s Accessibility Featureswaterworldcolorado.com
Integrating ABA therapy principles into everyday outings has been transformative for our family. These Colorado destinations not only provide enjoyable experiences but also reinforce the skills we’re working on in therapy. Remember, every adventure is an opportunity for growth.
Empower your child’s development through meaningful experiences.
