With World Autism Awareness Month happening, Nashville Parent is celebrating the programs and resources that accommodate local kids and adults on the spectrum. All around the world, kids and adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), process sensory information differently. Kids with ASD can become easily overwhelmed by stimulating experiences — especially in public settings.
Discover sensory-friendly, inclusive playgrounds, programs and resources.
Thisbe & Noah’s Promise Park at Nashville Zoo.
INCLUSIVE OUTDOOR PLAYGROUNDS
Freedom Inclusive Playground
110 Sam Ridley Pkwy., E., Smyrna
An all-inclusive playground, built to accommodate children of all abilities.
Mary’s Magical Place
Scotch St., Hendersonville
An inclusive playground built for children of all ability levels. This wheelchair accessible park is a beautiful resource in Hendersonville for family-friendly fun.
Miles Together Playground at Granny White Park
610 Granny White Pike, Brentwood
The Miles Together Playground is named in honor of Miles Peck, who was born with Down syndrome. The 18,500 square foot playground includes a thick surface for safety plus synthetic grass. Playground equipment includes a rail rider, swings, glider, hammock, conga drums and more.
Miracle Field at McKnight Park
240 Champion Dr., Gallatin
The David Price Miracle Field is a special needs baseball and playground facility designed for inclusive play for all ages and capabilities. The Miracle Field contains a variety of areas designed for inclusive play for all ages and capabilities, including sensory components, sliders, gliders & ziplines.
Miracle Park
240 Champion Dr., Gallatin
Tennessee’s largest inclusive park is designed for those physically-unable to play at typical park facilities. Special features include a wheelchair swing and plenty of ramps.
Patterson Park
521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Murfreesboro
The all-shallow pool sports a zero-depth entry that gradually slopes to a two-foot depth with an interactive water play system. A slide empties into a four-foot depth and the lap area varies from three to four feet.
Thisbe & Noah’s Promise Park at Nashville Zoo
3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville
Thisbe & Noah custom designed and built an all-inclusive playground for ALL children. The best part is that Promise Park has equipment designed for children with and without disabilities, promoting side-by-side play.
The Discovery Center in Murfreesboro hosts free “All Access Nights” each month.
INCLUSIVE INDOOR PROGRAMS
Adaptive Rock Climbing
404-692-0933
Catalyst Sports hosts monthly adaptive climbing clinics for youth and adults with a wide range of physical disabilities. These sessions typically happen the second Saturday at The Crag (15115 Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville ) and the fourth Sunday at Climb Nashville (3600 Charlotte Ave., Nashville). Register prior to attending.
Adventure Science Center
800 Fort Negley Blvd., Nashville
615-862-5160
Offers a variety of accommodations to make the science museum inclusive. Free sensory kits are available as well as online resources, like social stories, to help your child prepare a visit. Now open is the EY Sensory Room.
GiGi’s Playhouse
1724 Carothers Pkwy., Ste 400, Brentwood
615-370-1500
Offers more than 30 therapeutic and educational programs free of charge. Programs are based on best practices for Down syndrome learning styles, and customized to ensure individual success.
We Rock the Spectrum Franklin
1113 Murfreesboro Rd #203, Franklin
615-807-1627
Sensory activities where children can play with specialized equipment, a trampoline, swings and a zip line.
We Rock the Spectrum Nashville/Madison
2054 Gallatin Pike N.,Madison
615-420-6289
Sensory activities where children can play with specialized equipment, a trampoline, swings and a zip line.
We Rock the Spectrum Murfreesboro
820 N. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro
615-962-8627
Sensory activities where children can play with specialized equipment, a trampoline, swings and a zip line.
RESOURCES
- Autism Now
National source for resources and info, national initiative of The Arc. - Autism TN
Resource tab listing by counties in Middle TN. An advocacy and support organization for families, with conferences, educational workshops, support groups and many other types of events for families of individuals with autism - Autism Speaks
A non-profit autism awareness organization and the largest autism research organization in the U.S.
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