Resources for Visitors on the Autism Spectrum

We welcome families with children and adults on the autism spectrum. The following resources will help you plan for an enjoyable visit. (All PDFs are best viewed in Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.)

• Tips for Parents of Children on the Autism Spectrum
• Tips for Teens and Adults on the Autism Spectrum
• Social Narratives for Visitors on the Autism Spectrum
  • A social narrative for an independent family visit to the Museum for children on the autism spectrum (PDF)
  • A social narrative for an independent visit to the Museum for teens and adults on the autism spectrum (PDF)
  • A social narrative for coming to a Discoveries program (PDF)
  • A social narrative for coming to Nolen Library (PDF)
  • A social narrative for coming to a sensory-friendly Storytime program (PDF)
  • A social narrative for a guided school visit for students on the autism spectrum (PDF)
• My Met Tour Visual Checklist for Visitors on the Autism Spectrum (PDF)
• Sensory Friendly Map for Visitors on the Autism Spectrum (PDF)
• Interactive Map of the Museum for Visitors on the Autism Spectrum

Tips for Parents of Children on the Autism Spectrum

We welcome you to visit with your family. The Museum is very large, spanning the length of four city blocks and covering over two million square feet. Preparing for your visit a few days beforehand can make for a more manageable and enjoyable experience. The following tips will help in your planning:

• Social Narrative: Download, print, and read the social narrative (PDF) about visiting the Museum with your child. This will help prepare your child for the visit and will cover important things to remember, such as Museum rules.
• Visiting Tips: In addition to the guidelines in the social narrative, you will also find the tips for visitors helpful.
• My Met Tour: Download and print My Met Tour (PDF), a visual checklist with picture cards that will help you and your child design your visit.
• Admission: There is a recommended admission to the Museum. Admission stickers allow you to re-enter the Museum on the same day. If you need to take a break and leave the building, you can come back later in the day free of charge.
• Sensory Friendly Map: We have identified some spaces within the Museum that you should be aware of during your visit. These spaces—some of which are quieter and less crowded and others that are overly stimulating—are indicated in this Sensory Friendly Map. Use this tool as you design your My Met Tour with your child and decide which spaces to visit. Please note: Exhibition galleries can be especially crowded.
• Temperature Variations: Temperatures can fluctuate from gallery to gallery and some spaces are quite chilly. You may want to bring sweaters.
• Interactive Map: Use this map to select an individual gallery, learn about the works of art displayed there, and see a view of the space. The map may be helpful as you design your My Met Tour with your child.

We invite you to attend Discoveries, a program for visitors with developmental and learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum. See the social narrative (PDF) about attending a Discoveries program.

We'd love to hear about your visit to the Museum and how you used these resources. Contact us at 212-650-2010 or access@metmuseum.org, or take our survey.

Tips for Teens and Adults on the Autism Spectrum

We look forward to welcoming you to The Met. The Museum is very large, spanning the length of four city blocks and covering over two million square feet. Preparing for your visit to the Museum a few days beforehand can make for a more manageable and enjoyable experience. The following tips will help in your planning:

• Social Narrative: Download, print, and read the social narrative (PDF) about visiting the Museum. This will help you prepare for your visit and will cover important things to remember, such as Museum rules.
• Visiting Tips: In addition to the guidelines in the social narrative, you will also find the tips for visitors helpful.
• My Met Tour: Download and print My Met Tour (PDF), a visual checklist with picture cards that will help you plan your visit.
• Admission: There is a recommended admission to the Museum. Admission stickers allow you to re-enter the Museum on the same day. If you need to take a break and leave the building, you can come back later in the day free of charge.
• Sensory Friendly Map: We have identified some spaces within the Museum that you should be aware of during your visit. These spaces—some of which are quieter and less crowded and others that are overly stimulating—are indicated in this Sensory Friendly Map. Use this tool as you design your My Met Tour and decide which spaces to visit. Please note: Exhibition galleries can be especially crowded.
• Temperature Variations: Temperatures can fluctuate from gallery to gallery and some spaces are quite chilly. You may want to bring sweaters.
• Interactive Map: This map allows you to select an individual gallery, learn about the works of art displayed there, and see a view of the space. The map may be helpful as you design your My Met Tour.

We invite you to attend Discoveries, a program for visitors with developmental and learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum. See the social narrative (PDF) about attending a Discoveries program.

We'd love to hear about your visit to the Museum and how you used these resources. Contact us at 212-650-2010 or access@metmuseum.org, or take our survey.

These resources were created in consultation with Autism Friendly Spaces.