A beloved Mount Laurel township park, Laurel Acres features several well-kept playgrounds, an enormous grassy hill that kids love to roll down, and a paved loop circling a scenic pond. It is a free, flexible outing where families can match the pace to their child's energy. (Church Road, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054) With a little planning, a visit can be a calm, joyful day for an autistic child. Here is a sensory-friendly guide from our BCBA-led team — what to expect, the quietest times to go, and how to prepare.
The best time to visit
Ask the venue about quieter days or low-sensory hours, and aim for weekday mornings right after opening when crowds are thinnest. Confirm hours on the official site before you go.
What to expect
An open outdoor space with natural light and sound; the playgrounds get busy and loud after school and on weekends. There is open water at the pond, so supervise closely, and choose early weekday hours for the quietest play.
A few things your child may enjoy:
- Multiple playgrounds for different ages, including toddlers
- A large hill kids run up and roll down
- Paved pond loop and a stocked fishing pond
How to prepare your child
- Preview it. Look at photos or a map together beforehand so the visit feels predictable (a simple “social story”).
- Use “first–then.” “First we look around, then we get a snack.”
- Pack comfort items — noise-canceling headphones, a favorite fidget, water, and a familiar snack.
- Plan a quiet exit — pick a calm spot for a break if your child gets overwhelmed.
How ABA therapy makes outings like this easier
Community trips are exactly where ABA skills pay off. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) can help your child practice the very skills a visit to Laurel Acres Park demands — waiting, transitioning between activities, asking for a break, staying close in crowds, and tolerating new sights and sounds. At Autumn ABA, our community-based and natural-environment sessions build these skills in the real settings where they matter. Many Burlington County families work on exactly these goals so days out become something to look forward to. Learn more about our in-home, school, community, and telehealth ABA programs.
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