Discovery Museums in Acton hosts event for children with autism

By Margaret Smith/msmith@wickedlocal.com
GateHouse News Service
Aug 10, 2011

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Acton, Mass.-
Last Saturday night, the Discovery Museums in Acton were alive with noise, laughter, and scampering feet.

Because there is no such thing as "please don't touch" at these museums, children and adults enjoyed themselves using hands-on interactive exhibits to understand concepts of science.

A few in particular were an unparalleled success, including the Mist Tornado -- in which a child or sometimes two children would stand, marveling at plumes of mist surging through a floor vent - all in the name of demonstrating the effects of tornadoes and storm clouds.

For Ian Dyer, 7, his mother, Lori, and father Dennis, of Dover, this activity and others made for an outing as much in the name of fun as the pursuit of science.

Standing in the booth - and sometimes, crouching down to get a close-up view of the mist through the vent - Ian expressed his approval with elated hoots.

His mother explained Ian - like many of the children at the event, is autistic - is "non-verbal," and has to work through several sensory challenges as well.

"It's wonderful to have this event, because he doesn't stand out," she said.

This response is what museums staff hope for when they host "Especially for Me!" a periodic event in which the museums stay open late, admission-free on a Saturday night for autistic children and their families.

The event allows a night out for autistic children and their siblings, as well as their parents, who may socialize, network and bump into friends from autism support circles.

The museums started offering the event in 2010; the one held Saturday was the third for 2011, said Amy Spencer, director of early childhood education and parents resources at the museums.

The events on average draw about 150 visitors.



Building awareness

Spencer said museum staff has received special training through the Natick-based Autism Alliance of MetroWest, for working with the needs of families dealing with autism.

Spencer said the training mainly helps staff understand behavioral hallmarks of autism, such as so-called "parallel play." Many autistic children find it hard to interact with others, but it's not unusual to see two or more children side by side, enjoying the same activity.

An accepting environment can allow some to overcome inhibitions and fear; Spencer said she observed a few spontaneous exchanges of surprise and giggles.

For all the increased attention autism has received, it remains largely a mystery to the general public, said Nannette Ohmnan, executive director of the Autism Alliance of MetroWest, who said the alliance works with the museums and other community agencies to train staff in the needs of autistic visitors.

Ohman - the mother of a 21-year-old autistic son diagnosed at age 2 - said the training "is like autism 101 - a background in autism, what it looks like, how to approach someone safely, how to get your point across. Asking questions might not get the answers you need."

The Especially for Me! Events have their origins in earlier functions about 10 years ago, in which the alliance rented the museums out for families of autistic children, because it was too crowded to visit during the week.

In the past two years, grants provided for the training, which Ohman said includes understanding that some behavior that may prompt concern is, for an autistic child, quite routine.

"If a kid was flapping - it's sort of something a lot of kids with autism do. People may wonder why they are doing that, and if there is something you should do or say," Ohman said. "It's typical for a child with autism not to make eye contact, or to flick their fingers at their eyes."

Over the past 15 to 20 years, little has changed in such trainings, but a few subtle things have.

"It used to be, to get a child's attention, the idea was cup their chin and talk to them, but that doesn't happen anymore. They don't need to be looking at us," Ohman said.

Asked what sets autism apart from other developmental disabilities, Ohman cited the example of Down's syndrome.

"Down's kids tend to be very friendly, happy go-lucky. Autism kids tend to have a bit of anxiety, not knowing what is coming next. They may not appear as friendly or outgoing. The anxiety level overtakes them," Ohman said.

There's a gender imbalance, but there is no consensus on the cause. Four times as many boys as girls are reported with autism, an imbalance seen in the large numbers of boys versus girls at the museums event.

As awareness about autism grows, there have also been concerns, as with other diseases and disabilities, about over-diagnosing or incorrectly diagnosing autism.

Debate lingers about whether the rise in autism diagnoses simply means better diagnosing services and tools, or a higher prevalence of autism, or both. Ohman believes a rise in the number of reported cases is cause for concern, and for a renewed focus on services.

As with many childhood illnesses or disorders, Ohman said early intervention can make a big difference on many fronts.

Ohman said, agencies that serve families coping with autism have seen an increase of families looking for services and in a struggling economy, assistance with basic needs.

"The services they are looking for now have changed. Typically, they were looking for support for their family. Now it's paying their electric bill. They need food on the table," Ohman said.

Hope and acceptance

Cathy Mealey of Lynnfield came with her family, including daughter, Grace, 8, and son Liam, 10, who she said struggles with cognitive as well as verbal problems as a result of his autism.

Autism, however, is no barrier to having a good time, for Liam or his family, Mealey said. "He is pre-verbal. He has a very limited vocabulary."

This particular Saturday, she said she ran into several families from autism support networks. She said such events help - as they offer something for all family members, including non-autistic siblings.

As the parent of an autistic son, she also recommends having a sense of humor and acceptance.

Mealey said, "He loves the ability to touch the activities, and lots of museums are 'don't' touch.'"



TO LEARN MORE About Discovery Museums programs and upcoming 'Especially for Me' events visit http://www.discoverymuseums.org. To learn more about autism, visit the autism page at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov .

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