Nashville Zoo is proud to host its sixth annual Autism Awareness Day on Sunday, April 28 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Autism Awareness Day, held in partnership with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD), is included with Zoo admission or membership.
Family-oriented animal experiences and games will be held throughout the Zoo. Guests can participate in a Zoo-wide scavenger hunt or sensory tour that will be available at Festival Field and may also have close encounters with animals throughout the day.
Zoo staff will also be at Festival Field sharing information on Nashville Zoo’s efforts to promote inclusion of audiences on the autism spectrum.
Activity Schedule
10:00-11:15 Self-Guided Tour at Croft House
10:00-10:45 Sensory Tour (Meet at Festival Field)
11:00-11:20 Sensory Friendly Animal Show at Amphitheater
11:30-12:00 Animal Encounters at Festival Field
11:30-12:00 Kid’s Tour at Croft House
12:30-1:15 Sensory Tour (Meet at Festival Field
1:15-2:15 Self-Guided Tour at Croft House
1:30-2:00 Sheep Visit at Croft House Front Lawn
2:00-2:20 Sensory Friendly Animal Show at Amphitheater
2:00-2:45 Sensory Tour (Meet at Festival Field)
2:30-3:00 Kid’s Tour at Croft House
The Zoo, along with TRIAD, has developed support tools for the guests on the spectrum, such as visual schedules, social stories, and adjusted Zoo maps. This information can be downloaded on the Zoo’s website.
For more information on Autism Awareness Day, please contact our Education Department.
About Nashville Zoo
Nashville Zoo is a nonprofit organization and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is actively engaged in conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives around the globe as well as in our own backyard. The Zoo attracts more than 1,000,000 visitors annually and is considered one of the top attractions in Nashville. Nashville Zoo is located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information about Nashville Zoo, visit nashvillezoo.org.