We recently had a very upsetting experience at the Sky Zone on 3171 Meridian Avenue in San Jose, and I want to share it here since my email to corporate went unanswered.
During our recent visit, a staff member, possibly a manager wearing a black shirt, approached us and mentioned that other children had complained that our son was "being weird" or "acting weird." While I understand that children may not always comprehend behaviors that differ from their own, I was deeply uncomfortable and hurt by the repeated comments made by this staff member. I kindly informed her that my son is on the autism spectrum and nonverbal. As his parents we do not feel the need to disclose his disability to everyone upon entering an establishment, but we are always willing to explain his needs when necessary.
We were also informed that our son had accidentally entered the women's restroom. We immediately apologized and explained that our son is on the autism spectrum and is nonverbal. We understand that entering the wrong restroom is a concern, and we appreciate being informed so that we could address the situation.
What concerned me further was being told that we needed to stay directly by our son at all times while he was at the establishment. We do supervise and watch our son. At the same time, we also allow him appropriate space to enjoy activities and develop independence, just as other children are allowed to do. If an issue occurs, we are available and willing to step in immediately.
I want to be clear that I am not dismissing any legitimate safety concerns or inappropriate behavior. My son understands right from wrong, if there is ever a specific concern involving his behavior, I absolutely expect staff to bring it to our attention. However, being told that children think he is "weird" is not a specific behavioral or safety concern. As the parent of a child with a disability, hearing my son described in that manner was deeply upsetting.
I would like clarification regarding Sky Zone's policies and expectations for children with disabilities, particularly children who are autistic and nonverbal. Are parents of children with disabilities expected to remain physically beside them at all times, even when other children of the same age are allowed to participate more independently? I would also like to understand how staff members are trained to respond when other guests complain about a child simply because that child behaves or communicates differently.
My son deserves the same opportunity as any other child to enjoy Sky Zone in a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment. I hope this incident can be addressed as an opportunity for greater awareness, sensitivity, and staff training regarding guests with disabilities.
Our family has always enjoyed visiting Sky Zone. My son especially loves being able to jump, move around, and release his energy in an environment that he normally finds exciting and enjoyable.
I'm giving this place 3 stars because, as members, we genuinely love coming here--especially for our son. One of the things we appreciate most is that it's not overly large, so we're able to keep an eye on him at all times, which gives us peace of mind.
We've recommended this place to family and friends, especially those with children on the autism spectrum. Kids with ASD often thrive in environments where they can run, jump, climb, and slide. A place like this provides wonderful sensory input and movement that can feel very similar to occupational therapy, all while allowing them to have fun and just be kids.
The reason for my 3-star rating isn't because we don't enjoy this place--we do. It's because of an experience we had that I believe could have been handled with more understanding and compassion.
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