The Woodlands Children’s Museum has announced a new program beginning this summer dedicated to creating more inclusive exhibits for children with sensory processing differences, officials said in a June 1 news release.
The approach
The “Quiet Discovery Hours” initiative seeks to host events that differ from the standard museum environment by eliminating elements children with autism spectrum disorder can find overwhelming, according to the announcement.
By removing factors such as bright lights, loud noises, crowding and generally setting up a more predictable atmosphere, the museum will be able to increase recreational activity accessibility for neurodiverse families, officials shared.
“Our goal is to provide a place where every child feels comfortable engaging with our exhibits and discovering new interests,” said Jennifer Kraus, the museum’s interim executive director, via news release. “By reducing sensory input and limiting attendance, we can provide a more predictable environment where families can focus on playing together without the stress of overstimulation.”
What to expect
The first-of-its-kind event series under TWCM’s new initiative is scheduled to take place across three Saturdays over the summer, the release confirmed. The dates and times are June 13, July 18 and Aug. 1 from 9-10 a.m.
Attending guests will be able to participate in their session and peruse the museum for a full hour before it opens to the general public. After transitioning to normal hours, the programming will become come-and-go, meaning guests can remain for however long as they would like.
Features of the three individual sessions include:
- Limited capacity to monitor crowd sizes and provide visitors with ample personal space
- Sound reduction with no overhead announcements, background music or speakers being used for the duration of the session
- A “Quiet Zone” available in the museum’s outdoor atrium where visitors can take a sensory break if needed
- Specifically tailored sensory programming where children of all ages and abilities can participate in inclusive art activities
This summer series is notably sponsored by The Learning Lane, a locally owned group of Applied Behavior Analysis clinics in The Woodlands and Oak Ridge North regions committed to providing therapeutic services to children diagnosed with autism, according to the news release.
Stay tuned
Tickets for “Quiet Discovery Hours” officially went on sale June 1 on the museum’s website, which are included in the price of daily admission. Admission into the museum is $10 for adults and children over 1 year old. Infants under 1 will be allowed free entry.
Per admission rules and the nature of this event that limits its capacity, families interested in attending must reserve tickets in advance online and specify which of the three day sessions they would like to visit. Guests are encouraged to visit the museum’s website for any additional information about ticketing and the series itself.
