Citi Field has installed a sensory nook in the concourse of
the stadium – designed to help “those with autism, ADHD and dyslexia escape
from the overstimulation” during the course of a game.
According to David O’Coimin, the founder of Nook, the pods
“create an encapsulated environment to positively influence mood, reduce
challenging behavior and lower anxiety levels.”
“We take a lot of pride in offering a safe place for all of
our fans at Citi Field,” said Mets President Sandy Alderson, in prepared
remarks. “We are thrilled to include this service and that the Sensory Nook
will provide an opportunity for those who wish to use it.”
Citi Field is one of multiple stadiums around the world
installing pods for neurodiverse guests.
From the Mets:
Nook is a Certified Autism Resource, awarded by the
International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards
(IBCCES), a body that delivers the global standard for training and
certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders.
“The prevalent ‘one-size-fits-all’ nature of much of today’s
environments is unsuited to many people. Everybody is to some extent
differently abled – ways of thinking and operating differ from one person to
the next. This neurodiversity cannot be shoehorned into one type of space,”
added O’Coimin.