Autism Night

Thursday, February 24 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM 

This special evening is an opportunity for children and their parents/siblings/caretakers to enjoy The City in a sensory-friendly environment, along with other families. Our community partners, who specialize in supporting children on the autism spectrum, will be on-hand to enrich your family’s play experience with welcoming smiles and practical support.  

Specifically, for: Families with children of all ages who are on the autism spectrum and with other disabilities.  Pretend City will be closed to the public.  

This special evening is an opportunity for children and their parents/siblings/caretakers to have some fun in an autism-friendly environment along with other families. Many of our community partners, who specialize in supporting children on the autism spectrum, will be on-hand to enrich your family’s play experience with welcoming smiles and practical support. Watch a video tour of our museum here.  

• Art Studio Sessions (5 PM – 6:45 PM)*: Today in the Art Studio we’ll be bringing the natural world in through painting with rocks and creating our own florals. 
• Storytime: Shades of People> With minimal language, this book focuses on close up candid photos of young children. It explains how people are not colors, but more importantly shades. The number of shades are endless as no two people are exactly the same. 
• Music & Movement: A Happy Dance Party! > Sometimes we just need a little dancing in our day! Why not shake it out together?  Stop by Orange Circle to join Carly, our Good to Go Specialist, along with other friends, as we break out our epic dance moves! 
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RSVP: Register HERE. max: 250 guests  *Only guests with a reservation and a confirmation number will be admitted. 

AN IMPORTANT NOTE: We have a reoccurring predicament that we need your help with! Consistently, 200 guests register, but then never attend. To mitigate this, we’ve decided to open registration closer to the event’s date so parents can better gauge their ability to attend. We know that a child’s temperament, nap schedule, energy level, will and desire to play can be unpredictable – we don’t want to discourage you from signing up for that reason! We simply want to spread awareness: When you sign up knowing that you likely won’t come, you are taking the spot another neurodiverse family might use! Thank you for your consideration and kindness! 

Fee: FREE to behavioral therapists and children on the spectrum or with other disabilities and their immediate families 

Play Partners: Leslie Valmonte of Kid FUNdamental Therapy Center 

Grown-up Tip: Understanding and identifying emotions can be challenging for children. It’s important to teach them communication techniques, as well as give them identifying words and phrases.  Take some time and practice facial expressions – make a mad face and say, “I’m very mad right now and don’t want to talk.” Or make a sad face and say, “I don’t know what I’m feeling and am not ready yet.” Some children might prefer simpler gestures such as thumbs up or thumbs down as a means of communicating their needs.