Autism Friendly Hours
Our weekly Autism Friendly Hours aim to provide all the same fun of Glasgow Science Centre but with much less hustle and bustle on a Sunday morning!
We know the science centre is an exciting place, bustling with loud sounds and bright lights so we are lowering the volume of exhibits and softening the lights to allow adults and children with autism, or other neurodiversities, to enjoy their visit without additional stress.
Important Update
Please note that during school holiday periods our visitor numbers can often be higher than term time. We appreciate that a busy environment isn't ideal for those visiting with neurodiversities and are actively reviewing how we can best mitigate that. Staff are on hand to support you during your visit and if you would find it helpful, we also have ear defenders available and the quiet room is available throughout the day.
Times
Our relaxed, autism-friendly hours run every Sunday from 10:00–13:00 (you are welcome to stay until we close at 17:00 but lighting and volume levels of exhibits will resume to regular levels from 13:00).
Cost
Entry for adults £14.00, concessions £12.50 and children is £11.00, with one accompanying adult carer free. For additional guests, normal Science Mall entry prices apply.
You can book online in advance, or buy your tickets when you arrive on the day at the science centre's Ticket Desk. For groups, please contact 0141 420 5000 in advance of arrival for more booking information.
What's On
Workshops
Drop-in workshops activities will be available in the Design Studio on Floor 2. You can spend as much time as you need, some of the activities will be presented by a Science Communicator and others you can do by yourself.
Science Show
Science Shows are full of exciting demonstrations. Sometimes the demonstrations make a loud noise or cause a flash of light and sometimes we need to make the theatre quite dark to get the best effect. The presenter will warn you before that happens.
Before the show, you can have a look inside the theatre to decide if you want to stay and watch. If you stay, you can leave at any point.
Planetarium Show
In the Planetarium you can learn about Space. You will sit in a comfortable seat which leans back. It will get dark so that you can see the stars and planets which will be projected around the dome. You can turn your head to see them. At the end of the show the light come back on and you can leave.
You can book a Planetarium ticket when you arrive.
The Planetarium doors will close and the show will start 5 minutes after the advertised start time to give people time to get to the Planetarium and find their seats.
Support and Adaptations
Please look at Glasgow Science Centre's Accessibility Guide, or use our Social Story before your visit for Autism Friendly Sundays.
You can download a map, or ask for one at the ticket desk, which highlights areas of our exhibition floor where you will find:
- Noisy exhibits you may wish to avoid
- Calm corners and quiet spaces you can use with ear defenders and weighted blankets you can borrow
- Toilets
We recommend bring your ear defenders but if you forget, you can borrow ear defenders at the ticket desk, or the Science Show Theatre if you need them.
Please be aware that for everyone’s safety we have a fire alarm system in place. In the event of the alarm going off there will unavoidably be a loud noise. Staff will let you know where to go to feel safe.
Visitor Feedback
My wife and I came along to your autism friendly session on Sunday morning with our three year old son. It was clear throughout that careful thought and planning had gone into the session and I’m sure I speak for most, if not all, of the parents there when I say how much it was appreciated. Having a child with autism not only severely limits the activities / places that we can take our son, but also has a massive impact on us as parents when you are acutely aware that your child is unable to take part in activities that other children enjoy.
Your autism friendly session on Sunday gave our whole family a boost and allowed not only my son to express clear enjoyment and excitement but also gave us as parents a chance to enjoy seeing our son playing in a safe environment, exploring different exhibits, gaining new experiences and clearly having a great time playing as any child should be able to.
Thank you to all the staff who were involved and who put obviously genuine effort into making this a success. I hope you have more of these sessions in the future.
Graeme
Glasgow Science Centre is an independent Scottish Charity.
We are on a mission to inspire people of all ages to explore and understand the world around them, to discover and enjoy science and to see the relevance it has in their everyday lives.