Discovery Center Recognizes World Autism Awareness with Programming
The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring will bring back its Sibshops program in recognition of World Autism Awareness Month this April. The program is for children ages 8 to 13 who have a sibling with autism or other special health and developmental conditions. Sibshop is a drop-off event and will be held Thursday, April 20th from 5 to 7 p.m. Registration is $10 per child, and dinner is included. To register or for more information, visit www.explorethedc.org or call (615) 890-2300.
“I’m thrilled to bring Sibshops back to the Discovery Center,” said President and CEO of the Discovery Center Tara MacDougall. “It’s really an invaluable program for so many families in Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee. Many brothers and sisters of children with conditions like autism can feel unseen or unheard, and our Sibshops program provides them with an outlet for their feelings as well as a night of fun with other children going through similar experiences.”
The Discovery Center in Murfreesboro is one of the only institutions offering Sibshops in Middle Tennessee, and April’s event will be the first since the museum suspended the program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is designed to help brothers and sisters of children with autism and other special health and developmental conditions learn about their sibling’s condition in a safe and relaxed recreational environment where they can express concerns, ask questions, feel recognized, and find a community of other children coping with similar situations.
In addition to April’s Sibshop, the museum will also be hosting an All Access Night on Thursday, April 6 th from 5 to 8 PM in recognition of World Autism Awareness Month. Sponsored by Site Engineering Consultants, Inc., the event provides a sensory-friendly environment for families with children with autism or other physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities or mental health concerns to explore the museum’s exhibits. All Access Night is one of the first recurring sensory-friendly events in Tennessee. The event is free, but reservations are suggested.
Named “Best Museum” in 2022 by Rutherford Parent Magazine, the Discovery Center has been one of Middle Tennessee’s leading environmental, cultural, and educational museums for over 30 years. Their 32,000-square-foot facility hosts more than 120,000 children and families each year. It is the museum’s mission to engage curious minds to fuel the future through interactive, hands-on exhibits and programs that promote STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) education.
Adjacent to the protected Murfree Spring wetlands, a natural habitat for a variety of fish, amphibians, and birds, the Discovery Center is located at 502 SE Broad Street in Murfreesboro, TN 37130.
