World Autism Awareness Week
27 Mar 2017
Families praise Manchester Museum’s early opening sessions
This week is World Autism Awareness Week (27 March – 2 April) and we are celebrating the autism-friendly work of Manchester Museum.
The Museum and Manchester Art Gallery launched Autism Friendly early openings in 2014 in partnership with the Greater Manchester Autism Consortium and National Autistic Society, in response to a survey consulting with families to explore barriers they felt or may had experienced that prevented them from accessing cultural venues.
The early openings provide a quieter time for families to visit, a quiet room and a range of family activities for participants supporting different needs and learning styles. Parents have valued the opportunity to share experiences and gain support from each other as well as the benefits of being able to access these activities as a whole family, with their child who has autism and their siblings.
Manchester Museum’s autism-friendly Early Opening drop-in sessions are held on the second Saturday of every month, 9.15-10.30am. They are free and for children and young people aged 5-16 with autism, with a parent/carer and siblings are welcome too.
Every month a different gallery is opened earlier offering an opportunity to explore a new space.
One visitor said: “A great opportunity to get out as a family in an environment where people are understanding of my son’s autism. Fantastic staff, really welcoming and helpful!”
Manchester Art Gallery runs Open Doors; a creative session for children with autism and their families every third Saturday of the month, 9.15am-12.15pm. These arts based sessions take place in the galleries and offer more practical activities in the learning studios.
More information
For more information,visit: