Making Connections
Children’s Museum reaches out with autism program
SARATOGA SPRINGS— With its free monthly program, Making Connections, the Children’s Museum at Saratoga is reaching out to children on the autistic spectrum and their families, hoping to provide a safe, sensoryrich place for the kids and a support system for the families.
The program starts Jan. 10 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Once a month, the entire museum will be turned over to autistic kids ages 2-10 and their families, with one activity area geared toward gross motor skills and another dedicated to sensory toys. Museum staff and specialist volunteers from Helping Hands Nursery School will facilitate activities. The Autism Society for the Greater Capital Region will provide information.
“We saw the need in the community for more support
‘We want the kids to have a great time, the parents to enjoy a night out, and the community organizations to become involved.’ Lindsay Carr Children’s Museum education director, on the new program for autistic children
for these children,” said Michelle Smith, the museum’s executive director. “Autistic programs are offered through other organizations, but we wanted to be sure ours was regular and on a continuing basis. We want to meet the need for kids who face challenges visiting the museum during its public hours.”
The museum will focus on helping autistic children feel safe and comforted, said Lindsay Carr, education director at the museum. The active room will let kids use crawlers and be physical. The quiet room will include Play- Doh, touch boxes and other tactile toys. A room with dim lights and soothing sounds will be avail- able for children who require these.
“This program is more than just exploring the museum,” Smith said. “The children are learning, and early intervention is taking place. It’s a platform for the kids to experience play as they might not in other environments.”
To help the kids communicate more clearly, the museum is preparing binders with pictures of all the building’s exhibits and activities. The children can use an erasable marker to point out where they want to go or check off things they have done.
“People may not know a lot about autism unless they have a child on the spectrum or know one,” Carr said. “Our staff has been trained by Saratoga Bridges, received a broad overview of the autistic spectrum and gotten sensitivity instruction.”
According to statistics from the National Autism Association and the Centers for Disease Control, autism now affects one in 88 children. As this population grows, the need for support grows, Smith said.
“We want the kids to have a great time, the parents to enjoy a night out, and the community organizations to become involved,” Carr said.
The museum has funded the new program partly through grants and partly through corporate sponsorships, and is continuing to solicit donations as Making Connections expands. A special night for siblings of autistic kids comes Feb. 7.
Call the museum at 584-5540 for more information about supporting Making Connections.