NEW ORLEANS — From summer camp to juggling schedules, summer can be a hectic time for families, but it can be especially challenging for parents of children with disabilities. The Louisiana Children’s Museum is working to create a space for all children this summer.
Like most two-year-olds, Elle Freeman likes swimming, blowing bubbles, and reading books.
“She is just so cute and sweet first of all,” Elle’s mom, Kryshun Freeman, said.
Because Elle has autism, some milestones are harder to hit.
“The things we noticed were the speech delay of course. She tippy-toed a lot. She flapped her hands a lot. It was really hard for me and my husband when we started noticing these things about her, with it being our first child,” Freeman said.
When she and her mom go to the Louisiana Children’s Museum, life feels a little easier.
“I love that it’s not super busy and she can just go like explore. She definitely enjoys it and it brings a stress level off of me,” Freeman said.
On the first and third Thursday of each month, children with special needs can explore the museum without noise, crowds, or stimulation during normal hours.
“We have a quiet room set aside,” Louisiana Children’s Museum Chief Learning Officer Dr. Shannon Blady said. “Families can enjoy a more peaceful evening at the museum together. We offer headphones for children and comforting vests for children as well.”
While Bookworms like Elle are in sensory-friendly story time, parents like Kryshun spend time supporting each other in between the milestones.
“The children who are coming see themselves in these books and make connections to the adults in the room that are also from the neurodivergent community it’s pretty special,” Blady said.
“It gives you hope to see that you can still have a normal life and you’re able to adapt,” Freeman said.
The museum holds Sensory-Friendly Play Time on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
To register for Sensory-Friendly Play Time and Sensory-Friendly, Neurodivergent Storytime, click here.
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