Amazement Square is a Certified Autism Center (CAC)!

The CAC designation is granted to organizations that have completed training and certification to better serve autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors. The training program covers various topics, including sensory awareness, environment, communication, motor and social skills, program development, and emotional awareness.

“We are excited to see Amazement Square participating in this certification process and receive the resources and training that it provides to make their staff better prepared to support the needs of the Museum’s visitors who are on the autism spectrum.”

“Becoming a Certified Autism Center™ is a significant undertaking by Amazement Square, and it will strengthen the Museum’s Everyone is Special and outreach school program, which is a wonderful educational resource for our community and schools,” said Teresa L. Brennan, MD, Developmental Pediatrics and Jitendra R. Annapareddy, MD, Autism and Developmental Services at Centra Autism and Developmental Services Clinic.

“There are a large number of children and families that are in the Lynchburg area and surroundings that will benefit from these programs and the training and expertise the Amazement Square staff will receive.”

Providing interactive educational experiences for all

Amazement Square is dedicated to its mission of lifelong learning for all, regardless of age, background, or ability. All museum exhibitions are designed with accessibility in mind, and are consistently enhanced to boost our visitor experience.

Museum Accessibility

+ Stroller Parking

  • Stroller parking is available for free at the front desk
  • Child carriers are available for free (with exchange of license/car key) at the front desk

+ Nursing Room

  • The museum's designated Nursing Room is located on the 2nd Floor in the Big Red Barn Exhibition

+ Restrooms

  • The museum has restrooms available on the 1st, 2nd, and 4thvfloor
  • Wheelchair accessible stalls are available in every restroom
  • Changing tables are available in every restroom except the single stall located on the first floor
  • Single stall restrooms are located on the 1st and 4th floors

+ First Aid

  • Ask a team member if you are in need of assistance

+ Service Animals

  • Amazement Square welcomes service animals, however the museum is unable to accommodate emotional support or comfort animals.

Autism Spectrum Disorders and Sensory Sensitivity Resources

+ Virtual Tour and Museum Guides

Explore Amazement Square before you visit with our Virtual Tour!

Additional Guides and Resources:

+ Quiet Spaces

Amazement Square has identified quiet spaces throughout the museum:

  • The Community Room on the fourth floor. (The Community Room may be in use during your visit. Please ask a team member if it is available when you check in.)
  • The dig box area located at the back of the Native American Gallery on the fourth floor
  • The benches at the back of the Big Red Barn on the second floor
  • The Nursing Room on the second floor
  • The Poet Tree on the first floor

+ Quiet Times

In general, the quietest times to visit are on weekdays between 2 PM - 4 PM during the school year. We encourage you to call ahead on the day you are planning to visit to inquire how busy we are that day.

+ Sensory Kits

Upon request, we do have sensory kits available for rent (with exchange of license/car key). Included in these packs are headphones and different types of sensory fidgets

+ Autism Spectrum Disorder Recources

For more information and resources for visitors with an Autsim Spectrum Disorder, visit our Everyone is Special page

+ Everyone is Special Family Nights

Our Family Night events are designed to create an atmosphere in which children on the Autism spectrum and their families can engage in learning-through-play activities which spark their imagination, creativity, and curiosity. Once every quarter, Amazement Square opens the museum after hours for an environment that is less crowded and more friendly to different needs. To learn more and register for the next Family Night, please visit our Everyone is Special page

Physical Accessibility

+ Wheelchair Accessibility

  • All 4 floors of the museum are accessible via elevator
  • The museum galleries are wheelchair accessible
  • Handicap parking is available at the front of the building, and in the back lot adjacent to the Genworth Education Center in the Canal Lot
  • Wheelchair ramps are available for the Paintbox Exhibit