Tranquil tides: ABQ BioPark Aquarium to host first adult-only low sensory night

The ABQ BioPark Aquarium knows adults need a break and a chance to enjoy some peace and quiet while having fun, and for the first time at their new adult sensory-friendly night, guests can do exactly that.

A few years ago, a donor reached out to the New Mexico BioPark Society to ask if they would consider doing autism-friendly programming of the activities New Mexicans know and love. Since then, the city has offered one or two nights during special events specifically aimed at being low sensory, and the aquarium is another place offering special nights.

“It is a private function, so you do need a ticket to get in,” said Bethany Dunn, education curator for the BioPark. “The biggest thing is limited ticketing and we’re just making sure that all of the activities we are offering for people to do are low sensory.”

Tickets are capped at 150 for two different entry times, which will help stagger crowds to prevent the aquarium from getting crowded.

To help keep guests comfortable, the aquarium will offer a variety of tools meant to help them relax. Guests can check out tools like fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones and other items that can help take the mind off of any overwhelming stimuli. The public is also allowed to bring whatever items aid in keeping them happy and comfortable, as long as the items aren’t weaponry or made of glass.

“We have a sensory tent that is set up in our classroom as well, if somebody needed to be in more of an enclosed space,” Dunn said. “It has dark sides on it and will have different weighted blankets and depending on if the night is for adults or children, we have activities that will complement that age group.”

To determine what is considered sensory-friendly, the BioPark worked closely with community partners like University of New Mexico’s Autism+ and together the groups identified changes that can be made to city events to make things more accommodating for all guests, along with providing training opportunities to staff to better support guests during events.

For the aquarium adult night, guests will be treated to one free Baileys hot chocolate cocktail complete with assorted toppings like a churro, vanilla mint, espresso and more, or a hot chocolate bar with toppings depending on their preference.

“Everyone deserves to be treated like an adult when they are, so we felt it important to include that, but we’re also going to have discovery stations, so these will be like education stations throughout the aquarium that will be manned by staff or volunteers,” Dunn said.

Staff will also bring out educational tools like shark teeth or sea turtle shells, and have various artifacts for guests to engage in during their aquarium visit.

“We want people to be able to have the same experience coming that other people do, maybe just not as bright or loud or intimidating,” Dunn said. “One of my favorite things about it is how guests interact with each other when they’re here. Everyone seems to have a lot more patience and nobody gets funny looks and everyone is just part of the community.”

+3 Tranquil tides: ABQ BioPark Aquarium to host first adult-only low sensory night

You can reach staff writer Nakayla McClelland via email at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com.