The Autism friendly museum (draft)
These social stories are for adults and teachers visiting the museum with autistic and neurodiverse children.
Written for children in consultation with AMAZE, the stories have photographs to show children what they'll encounter during a visit to Melbourne Museum.
You can read them online as a webpage, or you can download a Word document to print out. You can also cut and paste the stories to create a story that best suits your child.
Social stories
For families
For schools and kindergartens
Map of high and low sensory spaces
The museum can be a confronting place for sensitive visitors. Use our map of high and low sensory spaces to plan a visit to suit your child.
Low sensory spaces, coloured blue on the map, are quiet areas that are bright, have few people and no multimedia. High sensory spaces, indicated in red, are busy places with a mix of multimedia, loud noises and/or low light.
You can borrow a laminated copy of the map from the ticketing desk or you can download your own.
- Sensory friendly museum map 666.2KB .pdf file
- 感官无障碍博物馆地图 155.5KB .pdf file
- 感覚刺激の方に配慮した館内の案内図 177.5KB .pdf file
- 감각 친화적인 박물관 지도 228.1KB .pdf file
- Carte du musée pour visiteur malentendant 131.6KB .pdf file
- Sinnenfreundliche Bereiche des Museums 131.9KB .pdf file
- Mappa sensoriale del museo 131.9KB .pdf file
- Mapa del museo orientado a los sentidos 131.7KB .pdf file
Quiet times
Melbourne Museum tends to be quieter between 3pm and 5pm on weekdays during term time.
Avoid queues
To minimise the time your family spends in a queue, we suggest that you buy tickets online before you visit. Present your printed or digital tickets at the pre-purchase entry point for quick entry.
Low Sensory Sessions
On the first Saturday of every month, Melbourne Museum offers low sensory sessions for visitor who experience sensory sensitivity. Loud sound effects and music will be muted, and bright or flashing lights will be dimmed in all galleries included with museum entry.
Sensory bags
If you have sensory sensitivities or are feeling overwhelmed during your visit, you can borrow a free sensory bag. The bags contain:
- Noise reduction earmuffs
- Fidget tools
- A communication card
Sensory bags can be borrowed from the admissions desk located in the entrance foyer and returned to the same location at the end of your visit.
Feedback
We'd love to hear what you think about these social stories and whether they are helpful to you. Drop us a line on [email protected].
