Did you know that Mesa, Arizona, is the very first Autism Certified city in the entire world? As a child diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, I am grateful to live in this progressive city.

In 2019, Mesa earned the Autism Certification from The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, or IBCCES. I had the pleasure of interviewing Oscar Venegas, Mesa’s Recreation Supervisor, about the  certification. According to Venegas, Autism Certified means a lot of different things, such as sensory guides or specially trainedemployees. 80% of Mesa’s guest-facing staff have been trained and re-trained to provide hospitality to those who are neurodiverse.

Many places in Mesa can help those with autism such as the Arizona Museum of Natural History and the i.d.e.a. Museum. These attractions have sensory guides to inform visitors of what to expect when going to an exhibit so they can make the most of their outings.

To learn more about how the Autism Certification can benefit you and your family, visit www.visitmesa.com/autism-travel/ . I hope to see more cities around the world follow in Mesa’s footsteps and become Autism Certified.