CMNH's Autism Partnership Program
Exploring Our Way
CMNH's Autism Partnership Program
First Sunday morning of each month during the school year.
Exploring Our Way sessions are held on the first Sunday of each month during the school year from 10 am - noon. At each Exploring Our Way session, the Children's Museum of NH offers free admission to families raising children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Please "like" our Facebook page for program updates as well as local resources and links to research articles!
Exploring Our Way is generously supported by Cogswell Benevolent Trust and H.O.P.E. Behavioral Consulting.
This program provides opportunities to enjoy family time at the museum in a safe, understanding environment, allows parents to network with one another, and will help families discover new resources available to them. Special materials will be available for participants, including MAPPS™ (Museum Advance Planning Picture Stories), visual supports using PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), a museum map and more. Exploring Our Way visitors are welcome to stay and play when the museum opens to the public at noon. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information about this program, please contact Paula Rais at (603) 742-2002.
Resources for Participating Families (downloadable PDF documents):
- MAPPS™ Version 1
- MAPPS™ Version 2
- Additional Mapping Resources
- View a floor plan & exhibit MAP of CMNH
- Exploring Our Way Frequently Asked Questions
Mark your calendar for these upcoming special programs
Special September Exploring Our Way - Due to the late Labor Day holiday this year, Exploring Our Way will happen on Sunday, September 6th. Plan to join us then after summer vacation ends. (Exploring Our Way does not happen in July and August.)
Train Day - On Sunday, October 4th, we'll be celebrating our annual Train Day complete with train activities, coloring books and trolley shuttle to the Dover Rail Yard where you can tour a real locomotive engine!
NH SPCA Therapy Animals - On Sunday, November 1st, our furry friends from NHSPCA will be visiting Exploring Our Way.
Please note: If you plan on coming to the Museum during regular hours, consider visiting at a time when we are usually not crowded ... mid–day or late afternoons are often quieter. Weekends – especially if the weather is nasty – are often busy. You are always welcome to call the museum to check with the staff about how busy the Museum is before you visit.
Exploring Our Way Advisory Committee
Betsy Carroll
Recreation & Parent Support Coordinator for Family Support at Community Partners, working with families with a child with a developmental disability.
Pat Corbett
Chair, Departments of Education & Social Sciences, Great Bay Community College.
Deb Jurkoic
SAU5 Preschool Education Program Para-Educator, Strafford Learning Center.
Karen McDowell
Family to Family Coordinator, Lakes Region Services, Laconia.
Stephen Mott, MD
specializing in Autism and communication disorders, Children's Hospital at Dartmouth.
Shelley Mulligan, PhD.
OTR/L, Associate Professor, Graduate Faculty, UNH.
Patti Rawding-Anderson
Co-owner at REACH for the Top Therapy Services, Dover, NH.
Dr. Laura Rubin
Licensed clinical psychologist, Portsmouth Neuropsychology Center.
Kimberly Russell
Special needs educator, Dover, NH.
Dorie Sterndale
Retired Early Intervention Educator, Special Education Educator and Social Worker, CMNH volunteer.
Tracy Walbridge
Easter Seals Certified Parent Supporter, Parent Information Center Volunteer Advocate, Concord.
Elizabeth Webster, B.S.ED.
Autism Support Specialist, Educator, Autism Safety Training Expert, Manchester, NH.