In recognition of World Autism Awareness Day, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and Hope Network invite visitors affected by autism and other sensory processing needs to visit for a Sensory Friendly Museum Night on Thursday, April 22, from 5:30 until 8 p.m. held at the GRPM.
The Museum will adapt sounds, lighting and activities within the current exhibits to create a low-sensory experience for the evening. Visitors can add an experience to see Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO® Bricks, as well as a visit to the Chaffee Planetarium to view the GRPM created show, Subatomic: Detecting the Unseen, in which the lighting and sound will be adapted. This Planetarium show will play at 6 p.m.
One in every sixty-eight children are on the Autism spectrum, with another child being diagnosed every 20 minutes. Hope Network has been at the forefront of autism treatment since opening its first Center For Autism in Kentwood in 2011, which was Michigan’s first all-inclusive treatment center. Hope Network now has five Centers For Autism across the state, all of which use Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and comprehensive clinical services to empower those with autism to overcome challenges to achieve their highest level of independence.
“Hope Network has long been committed to positively impacting the lives of children and families affected by autism,” said Phil Weaver, Hope Network President and CEO. “We are honored to sponsor this event which allows families the opportunity to enjoy a fun night out to enjoy all that the Grand Rapids Public Museum has to offer.”
The West Michigan Habitats at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)
“The Museum strives to create inclusive experiences for all visitors, including being both physically and cognitively accessible,” said Dale Robertson, President & CEO of the GRPM. “We are pleased to partner with Hope Network again to allow families to explore the Museum in a low sensory environment, and to take part in our Subatomic Planetarium show which was designed for audiences with sensory processing challenges.”
The GRPM partners with KultureCity to improve the Museum’s experience for guests with a variety of sensory processing needs. A limited amount of sensory bags containing fidget tools, noise canceling headphones and other resources are available for checkout at the Museum’s front desk.
Pre-registration for the Sensory Friendly Museum Night is required; visit grpm.org to sign up. To add Wild Connections or the Subatomic Planetarium show, use the “continue shopping” feature and find Wild Connections under the Admission tab and Subatomic under the Planetarium tab. For additional information, please visit grpm.org.
Kent District Library is proud to be the first library in the country to introduce MagnusCards®, a new initiative to assist patrons with cognitive special needs such as autism. Canadian company Magnusmode created MagnusCards®, a mobile app which leverages technology to empower and aid people as they engage in a variety of everyday activities.
MagnusCards® offers digital “Card Decks” which provide step-by-step instructions that walk the user through a variety of activities. KDL’s custom app offers five different Card Decks to help individuals check out materials at the library and utilize other services. Card Decks include:
Getting a library card
Using a self-checkout station
Using the KDL catalog and placing holds
Logging into a computer at the library
What to expect at the library
The cards include graphics, text and audio, so they can assist people with various disabilities, including visual and hearing impairments. They are available in both English and Spanish.
“It is important to us that all our patrons can effectively use the free services we have to offer,” said Michelle Roossien, LBPH Specialist at the Wyoming branch of KDL. “This is an important step to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and welcome at our branches.”
Downloading this easy to use app is free on both Apple and Android devices. To download, search using MagnusCards®, then create a login to get started. Once inside, search for Kent District Library.
People with autism, dementia, PTSD and similar conditions often experience sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation. A big barrier for these folks is sensitivity to overstimulation and noise — the norm for environments at public spaces like the Grand Rapids Public Museum and John Ball Zoo.
What to do?
Well, thanks to passage of the Kent County millage in November 2016, funding was made available for the Grand Rapids Public Museum and John Ball Zoo to help highly sensitive individuals enjoy their experiences. The duo partnered with KultureCity — a nonprofit based in Birmingham, Alabama — to make their organizations, including all of the programs and events hosted, sensory-inclusive. The goal: to promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests with a sensory issue.
To obtain sensory-inclusive certification, JBZ and GRPM employees underwent training by leading medical professionals on how to recognize guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags, equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads will be available to guests beginning in early April at the GRPM and in May at John Ball Zoo.
Families can prepare for visits to JBZ or the GRPM by downloading the free KultureCity App where one can view what sensory inclusive features are available and where they can be accessed. Also on the app is the Social Story which will provide a preview of what to expect while visiting.
“Having the opportunity to collaborate with KultureCity and the Museum to offer sensory kits to our guests embodies the Zoo’s value of diversity within the culture, talents, and experiences of our communities,” said Peter D’Arienzo, CEO of John Ball Zoo.
“We strive to be a place where all people feel welcome,” said Dale Robertson, President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
By Maram Hekhuis, Outpatient Therapist at Heart of the City Counseling Center
Many people either do not recognize or are in denial that they have mental illness, even though mental illnesses are very common and widely spread in our society. This can be due to fear and anxiety about being judged or stigmatized by others, not being prepared to cope with learning that they have a mental illness, or their loved one has a mental illness. Many people fail to recognize that mental illness does not define who you are! You have a diagnosis of mental illness, but you are not your mental illness.
You are not schizophrenic, autistic, or depressed. You have diagnosis of schizophrenia, autism, or depression. Having a mental illness does not mean you are robbed of the opportunities to have a quality life such as having a job, being in a relationship, building a family, having safe housing, having access to health care and/or being affiliated with a certain group. It is important to recognize that even though you have a mental illness and some challenges associated with your mental illness symptoms, you still have many strengths and abilities that help you move forward in life to achieve your goals and dreams. There is nothing to be ashamed of for having a mental illness. Having a mental illness is like having a medical problem. It is your body’s way of telling you something is off, and it is time to do something about it by seeking help.
Mental illness is treatable! Most people with mental illness continue to function in their daily lives and are able to live a fulfilling life. If you feel you are unable to manage your mental illness, experiencing significant symptoms that cause significant distress or impairment in social, work, or other important areas of functioning, then seek professional support. There is nothing to be ashamed of for seeking support. When you get the flu and a high fever for a couple of days, you will seek medical attention, so when you are feeling mentally exhausted and sick, then make sure to seek mental health attention.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will open its doors free of charge to families affected by autism and other sensory-processing challenges on Tuesday, October 4th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visitors will receive free general admission on this night to explore the Museum’s three floors of core exhibits at no cost.
Visitors will enjoy a sensory-friendly museum environment, special ArtPrize-themed activities and a free planetarium show. The Museum and the Chaffee Planetarium will adapt sounds, lighting and activities within the current exhibits to create a low-sensory experience for all.
“We are excited to be able to offer a night at the Museum to those with autism and family members to experience our exhibits in an environment comfortable for them. This allows more community members that wouldn’t usually be able to visit the Museum an experience to create lifetime memories from our sensory-friendly exhibits and artifacts,” said Dale Robertson, President & CEO of the GRPM.
The Museum is able to host this Sensory Friendly Museum Night thanks to a sponsorship from Behavioral Health.
The GRPM offers fun, hands-on learning opportunities for all ages through a variety of core and traveling exhibits. Visitor favorites include the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors back to 19th century of downtown Grand Rapids; and West Michigan Habitats that showcase the vast wildlife found in West Michigan.
