AUTISM INCLUSION TEACHER

Hello from the Autism Inclusion Teacher,

The school holidays are a great opportunity for children to rest, recharge, and explore new interests. For our neurodivergent students, children who may think, learn, or experience the world differently, it can be especially helpful to have activities that offer structure, creativity, and comfort. Here are some activities that families might enjoy together.

South Australian Museum

For visitors with sensory needs

Sensory backpacks are available for loan upon request at the front desk. Each backpack contains a pair of noise cancelling headphones, a soft toy, a fidget toy, and some communication cards. 

The Museum tends to be busiest in the mornings and less busy in the afternoons, especially after 3:00pm. Many school groups arrive at the Museum between 10:00-11:00am on weekdays and typically stay for 1-2 hours.  

The Museum will be nosier in peak times, including school holidays, the final weeks of school terms, and the first and last weeks of exhibitions.

Download a map showing quieter areas of the Museum.

Download our social story for general visits here.

Event Cinema Australia 

Event Cinemas are proud to bring sensory friendly films to families living with autism and other sensory needs at select locations. Sensory friendly screenings allow families to enjoy their favourite films in a safe and accepting environment. In these sessions, cinema lights are dimmed, and the movie volume is lowered to cater for sensitive ears.  Kids are free to get up, move around, shout or sing.

When purchasing tickets online, you will see any available Sensory screenings marked with the SENSORY tag, like below.

All session times are confirmed on a weekly basis. The cinema week runs from a Thursday through to a Wednesday. Session times for the upcoming week will be confirmed and online by the Monday evening/Tuesday morning. Whilst sessions don’t go on sale until the start of each week, you can generally check our confirmed Sensory Screenings film line up at the start of each month.  

Bounce

Bounce is an indoor trampoline park for every age, with venues across Australia. It doesn’t have specific sensory sessions, however Bounce Australia staff are trained to support people with varying abilities and sensory requirements, so everyone can get their bounce on!

Jump around – visual tools to prepare for Inflatable World

To create a better experience on arrival, the Inflatable World team has created a special script with visual cues to prepare children for what to expect. You can download the script here (this link is for the Charmhaven venue in New South Wales, but it’s handy for everyone).

Upcoming workshops/ discussions

Positive Partnerships- Online Parent/Carer Workshop Session - Diversity of Autism

Positive Partnership- Online Parent/Carer Workshop Session - Sensory Processing

Online Professional Learning Sessions - National (The diversity of autism)

Practical Assistive Technology: Online Workshop and Q&A for Parents

Neurodivergence: Beauty, Wonder and Challenge DISCUSSION

Claire McGarvey

Autism Inclusion Teacher