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"Exploring Our Way"Museum Adapts Visits for Children with ASD
By: Kirsten Murphy, NH Challenge Special Reporter for ASD
Imagine digging for dinosaurs, assisting alewives to swim up the Cochecho River, and studying the phenomena of reflection and symmetry, all before noon. "Exploring Our Way" is a new program at the NH Childrenfs Museum in Dover that is specially designed to make these experiences more readily available to children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Beginning March 14, the museum will open its doors early from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Sunday of each month for families that have a child with ASD. Funded by a grant from the Cogswell Benevolent Trust, the program is free of charge and admission is waived for families who want to stay when the museum opens to the public at noon.
"We created the Autism Partnership Program because parents came to us asking for a chance to help their children enjoy what the museum has to offer without the stress that they face during regular visiting hours," explained Outreach Coordinator Paula Rais. Rais is quick to emphasize that children with ASD are welcome any time the museum is open to the general public.
"This may be the bridge needed to make visiting during regular hours successful," explained Rais, who has enlisted a number of parents and professionals in developing tools to make the morning visit go smoothly. "We are adapting the museum to these families," said Rais, "not asking families to adjust to our way of doing things." The museum is also giving participating families free passes to return at another time and to "keep the relationship with the museum going," said Rais.
Planning is the Key to Success
The Children's Museum is filled with sensory experiences, something that children with autism both seek and shun. At the music matrix, for example, smooth, colorful panels play musical notes and light up sculptured sound waves. Nearby, a wall of soft tubular rods can be molded to face and hands. Upstairs in the Throne Room, Ye Old Construction Company declares that "pattern is our passion," inviting guests to create mosaics on walls and furniture. "There is a lot that our kids will love," explains Debbie Jurkoic., a parent advisor to the program, "but they can also become over-stimulated very easily."
To ease the transition into the museum, a quiet classroom is available near the entrance where children can make a visual plan of their trip through the multi-sensory displays and activities. Parents are alerted as to which exhibits are likely to be activating and where there are small nooks and quiet spaces that they can use to bring the energy level back down.
Because some children with ASD experience anxiety when visiting an unfamiliar place, parents can also help their child anticipate what the morning will be like using a social story and map available on the museum website, www.childrens-museum.org. For children who use the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), cards are available that can be arranged in a simplified story. "We have made every effort to honor the fact that the autism spectrum is very broad," explained Jorkoic.
Learning to be Neighbors
"One of the great things about this project is how the community has jumped in to help," said Jorkoic, who sees great potential for this type of partnership to take hold in other venues for the benefit of those with sensory or social differences.
Elizabeth Webster, Parent Support Specialist from Easter Seals NH is among those who have lent their expertise to the project. "What a great opportunity to raise awareness about how people on the spectrum may experience the world," said Webster, who recently trained museum staff and student volunteers from the University of NH in preparation for the March 14 opening.
A parent of a young man with ASD, Webster says that her message to those new to playing and working with those with ASD has been very simple: "Just ask yourself, 'what would Mr. Roger's do?"' she says, referring to the iconic children's television show host. "Mr. Roger's stays calm. He validates your experience and he waits. He shows everybody else how to be just as patient."
Similarly, children with ASD are learning about staying calm, and one exhibit at the museum may be a boon to families who struggle to teach this lesson.
Based on electroencephalograph (EEG) technology, Mindball pits two contestants against one another in a race to relax. While an electrodeheadband monitors each player's alpha and theta brainwaves, a ping pong ball slides between the two participants, edging closer to the more stressed. The effect of deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and imaging techniques are visible on a wall monitor, giving the players immediate feedback on their efforts to control their body's reaction.
"I don't know of a hospital or clinic that makes this kind of sophisticated technology available for teaching children," said Rais. "It's something very unique that we have to offer the community. We can all benefit from learning a little more about relaxation."
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