The Pacific Science Center is opening early one Saturday every month, toning down the displays and lights, to become a friendlier place for those with autism.
According to NPR affiliate KPLU, the Center recognized the need to better serve this audience. They report that in the Seattle School District alone, about 10 percent of children have some form of ASD, or autism spectrum disorder. Loud lights and noise can be especially disturbing to this audience, making a trip to the Pacific Science Center during regular hours difficult.
For two hours, from 8-10 a.m., they open early for “Exploration for All: Autism Early Open,” and it is made possible through a grant from Safeco. The events will be held the second Saturday of every month — the next one is Feb. 14 — throughout the end of 2015.
“What we want is to be able to provide our programming, provide these experiences for children who may love them, who may be able to kind of run with them, who may become very inspired by that interaction,” Pacific Science Center’s Renee Gervais told KPLU. Sounds like a great way to kick off a Saturday to us.
