Early Start hosts event for autism day

The University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Early Start Discovery Space recently held a limited capacity, after-hours event for children on the autism spectrum or with sensory sensitivities in acknowledgment and celebration of World Autism Understanding Day today (Wednesday 2 April).

Several changes were made to the Discovery Space for the event to support the needs of attendees including significantly reduced capacity limits to lower congestion and noise, pre-booked tickets and staggered entry times. Some experiences also had elements turned off or limited to reduce sound and sensory input.

“We are excited to be holding a special, after-hours event for World Autism Understanding Day. This event has come about through internal research and community feedback,” Manager of Early Start Operations Mr Josef English said.

“We always listen to and learn from our community about how to improve our space. We have a dedicated experience, The Sanctuary, designed with help from Early Start autism researchers, and quiet spaces around the Discovery Space, but we know from feedback that children and their adults were concerned about how busy these spaces get.”

“Acknowledging that every person on the autism spectrum is unique, we hope that these changes will make a real difference to a child’s visit. We are dedicated to continual improvement, inclusivity and learning and listening to the children and adults who visit the Discovery Space.”

As well as hosting the event, the Early Start Discovery Space launched two research-informed resources to support parents, carers and educators working with children on the autism spectrum: the Discovery Space Social Story and the Discovery Space Sensory Map.

The Discovery Space Social Story is an online resource to help people plan their visit to the Discovery Space, allowing them to pre-visit the space and explore what to expect through visual and written explainers. The Discovery Space Sensory Map identifies high and low sensory areas.

The resources were developed by Early Start’s Community Partnership Team in collaboration with Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia), one of Australia’s leading providers of autism-specific services and education.

“Aspect South Coast School’s junior satellite class on the UOW campus visits the Discovery Space weekly with their teachers,” Mr English said.

“The children, their parents and teachers reviewed the Social Story and recommended changes based on their visits to the Discovery Space. Through this resource children can become familiar with each play experience, the facilities, where to find help and where to access quieter options before they visit.”

Stef Hawker, Leader of Learning & Wellbeing at Aspect South Coast School, said the collaboration was driven by the experiences and suggestions of the children from Aspect and their families.

"Aspect South Coast School is proud to collaborate with the University of Wollongong’s Discovery Space team and contribute to their Social Story,” Ms Hawker said.

“Our students, families and staff provided valuable feedback to ensure the visual story is clear, accessible and supports participation of autistic visitors. This partnership is a great example of how co-designing resources with the autism community can create lasting, inclusive practices."

Both resources will be available to all future visitors via the Discovery Space website.

The World Autism Understanding Day event coincides with Early Start Discovery Space being listed as an official sunflower friendly location on the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was created to encourage inclusivity, acceptance and understanding.

For more information about the Early Start Discovery Space and its programs, please visit the website, here.