The New York Transit museum says people with autism are among its most frequent visitors — returning again and again to see the exhibits. The museum developed a special program for children with the disorder, and now its experts are sharing what they have learned. NY1's Michael Herzenberg has the story.
The New York Transit Museum hosted representatives of cultural institutions from places like Singapore, Utah and St. Louis, to learn more about its successful "Subway Sleuths" program.
Now in its sixth year, the after-school program is designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum as a means to develop social skills.
Students solve transit mysteries using games like hide and seek with clues and walkie-talkies.
"It's all about taking turns and communicating but we layer it all around the transportation which is something they love," said Deputy Museum Director Regina Asborno.
"You have a track and you have a train and you have a schedule and times and places and it's visual and you could see it and you can experience it and it's knowable it's not a lot of change and that's very calming and very comforting," said autism specialist Susan Brennan.
The museum says it hopes its efforts can inspire similar programs at other institutions.