The Autism Alliance of Michigan is teaming up with local museums and attractions to offer sensory friendly experiences for families and individuals on the autism spectrum during the month of April for National Autism Awareness Month. Special events, accommodations, and activities will be offered on the following dates and locations: April 2nd-10AM-2PM Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History April 9th-9AM-5:30PM Henry Ford Museum April 16th(TBA) Detroit Institute of Arts April 23rd(TBA) Michigan Science Center April 30th(TBA) Greenfield Village (Day Out with Thomas), Giant Screen Experience These cultural institutions are working with AAoM and one another to create universal symbols, language and accommodations for families to be able to enjoy and understand across locations and visits. Each venue will offer ‘chill zones’ or quiet spaces for children who are overwhelmed, and options for lights, sounds, and communication to be more accommodating. AAoM is working with these institutions to allow inclusive, welcoming and safe spaces for individuals with autism and their families: Autism Safety Training for staff will be provided to prepare museum staff to interact effectively with individuals with autism to help keep them safe. AAoM is helping to develop Sensory Friendly Maps for these venues to prepare families for the sights, sounds, smells, and exhibits that they can touch or interact with AAoM is creating social narratives for these venues and assisting with sensory friendly shows and activities that will be offered throughout the month of April. If you have been hesitant to bring your child to some of Detroit’s Cultural Treasures in the past, please join the Autism Alliance of Michigan and our MiNavigator Team who will be out every Saturday in April to welcome and visit with your family! For more information please monitor AAoM’s web site at www.autismallianceofmichigan.org or contact Kat Nelson at (877) 463-AAOM.

1. SENSORY FRIENDLY
SATURDAY EVENTS
During the month of April, National
Autism Awareness Month, local
museums and attractions will
become sensory friendly

2. The first “Sensory Friendly” event was held in
2014, as a partnership between The Color of
Autism Foundation and the Michigan Science
Center. The event continued the following
year and would grow to include other metro-
Detroit cultural institutions in 2016.

3. SENSORY FRIENDLY SATURDAY
AMENITIES
 Event maps to indicate loud sounds and lights
 Quiet areas
 Noise cancelling headphones and ear plugs (some locations)
 Social narratives
 Resource tables from the Autism Alliance of Michigan and
The Color of Autism Foundation
 Sensory friendly activities

4. SENSORY FRIENDLY SATURDAY
LOCATIONS
 April 2nd from 10AM- 2PM at Charles H. Wright Museum of African American
History
 April 9th from 9AM- 5:30PM at Henry Ford Museum
 April 16th from 11AM- 3PM at Detroit Institute of Arts
 April 23rd from 10 AM- 6PM at Michigan Science Center
 April 30th from 9:30AM- 5PM Greenfield Village & Giant Screen Experience

5. APRIL 2ND FROM 10AM- 2PM
• Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have A Dream”
quilt activity, provided by The Color of
Autism Foundation
• Garrett Morgan electric traffic signal
activity, provided by the Color of Autism
Foundation
Charles H. Wright Museum of
African American History

6. APRIL 9TH FROM 9AM- 5:30PM
• Hands on activities in quiet areas
• Lights up, sounds down film
• Scavenger hunt
• Mystery game
the Henry Ford

7. APRIL 16TH FROM 11AM- 3PM
• Specially designed hands-on art-making
activities led by DIA Studio Staff
• Volunteers stationed in certain galleries
to share information about the artwork
Detroit Institute of Arts

8. APRIL 23RD FROM 10AM- 6PM
• Lights up, sounds down film in the
Chrysler IMAX Dome Theatre
• Special activities in education spaces
Michigan Science Center

9. APRIL 30TH FROM 9:30AM- 5PM
• Day Out With Thomas™ event activities
and entertainment
• Lights up, sounds down film at the Giant
Green Experience
• Some activities in a quieter location
Greenfield Village

10. LOCAL AUTISM RELATED
RESOURCES
autismallianceofmichigan.org
thecolorofautism.org

11. THE AUTISM ALLIANCE
OF MICHIGAN
The mission of Autism Alliance of Michigan
is to lead collaborative efforts across the
state that will improve the quality of life for
individuals with autism through education,
comprehensive services, community
awareness, inclusion efforts, and
coordinated advocacy.

12. THE COLOR OF AUTISM
FOUNDATION
The Color of Autism Foundation is
committed to raising public awareness of
autism spectrum disorders and devoted to
empowering families and lessening their
isolation. We are dedicated to ensuring that
all people with autism receive appropriate
and effective services, to maximize their
growth and potential.

13. COMING FALL 2016!
Stay tuned for the next Sensory
Friendly Saturday events…