Chuck E. Cheese rolls out Sensory Sensitive Sunday at 280 locations

Some Chuck E. Cheese locations rolling out Sensory Sundays for families with autistic children

Chuck E. Cheese’s corporate headquarters has rolled out Sensory Sensitive Sundays at 280 locations across the country, including eight restaurants in Tennessee, according to the company website.

“Our tagline is, ‘Where a Kid Can Be a Kid.’ So we want to ensure we extend this idea to kids who otherwise may not be able to enjoy Chuck E. Cheese’s due to the sensory overload,” said Ami Anderson, senior director of media and advertising at CEC Entertainment.

The Chattanooga location is not included in the rollout, which affects about half of the company’s 600-plus locations. The closest participating restaurant is in Knoxville at 8225 Kingston Pike.

Anderson said the number of participating restaurants can change by the month, usually at the request of parents.

“We expand and contract based on guest feedback,” she said.

Participating restaurants open two hours early the first Sunday of every month for the sensory-friendly experience. Staff members are trained to accommodate the needs of children on the autism spectrum as well as those with sensory issues, the website noted.

“I think it’s awesome. I definitely love that people are trying to accommodate our kids,” said Jasmine Millar, whose 12-year-old son has autism.

Millar said her son has “learned to cope” with the “sensory overload” at the entertainment center. But it was a lot more difficult when he was younger.

“It’s always crowded, it’s always loud, there are a lot of lights going on, there are different sounds from the different machines, the other kids, the smells from food and other people, the balloons, the multiple colors — you’ve just got so much going on there,” Miller said.

Even the animatronics and people dressed in costume can cause problems in some children, Millar said.

The Sensory Sensitive Sundays experience includes less crowding and noise, dimmed lighting, show and music turned down or off and limited appearances by mascot Chuck E. Cheese.

To learn more, visit chuckecheese.com/ deals-offers/sensory-sensitive-sundays.

Nancy De Gennaro writes for the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal.

PHOTO FROM CCI NEWSGATE Some Chuck E. Cheese restaurants are hosting Sensory Sensitive Sundays, limiting crowds, lights, music and other stimuli that can overwhelm autistic children.