NYC has many world-renowned museums to visit, all offering tailored programs and events for families and children with ASD. All the programs listed below are free of charge.
The Lincoln Center is a performing arts center in NYC that offers free special events for children, teens, and adults with disabilities.
The Passport to the Arts program gives families access to interactive workshops and virtual events at various venues, such as the Lincoln Center, the New York City Ballet, The Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, and the Chamber Music Society.
For information about upcoming events or performances, you must sign up online at lincolncenter.org/series/accessibility-at-lincoln-center/s/Passport%20to%20the%20Arts.
To register for “Passport to the Arts” do the following:
Learn more about the Passport to the Arts schedule and accommodation by emailing access@LincolnCenter.org or calling (212) 875 5375.
For general information, visit lincolncenter.org/series/accessibility-at-lincoln-center/s/Passport%20to%20the%20Arts.
Relaxed Performances are open to all but designed for people with autism, sensory and communication disorders, or learning disabilities.
The piece’s artistic integrity remains unchanged; however, modifications to the social and sensory environment may be made. This structure can also be beneficial for neurodivergent people, families with young children, and anyone who finds traditional performance protocols do not work for their needs.
For more information about upcoming relaxed performances and to reserve or purchase tickets, please visit www.lincolncenter.org/series/accessibility-at-lincoln-center/s/Relaxed%20Performances
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, colloquially known as “The Met,” offers almost 5,000 years of art worldwide for everyone to see and enjoy. It is next to Central Park on the east side. Find tactile opportunities and art-making activities for your children with the “Discoveries” workshops throughout the year.
“Discoveries” welcomes children of all ages, but it recommends that children ages 3–11 attend. Workshop topics and activities include art making with paintings, music, sculptures, etc. Materials are provided at no cost.
Remember that admission to the museum is free for children under 12, with an adult and a caregiver accompanying a disabled visitor.
For information on upcoming workshops, go to www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/access/visitors-with-developmental-and-learning-disabilities. Remember that some events are drop-in, while others require reservations. Participation in all workshops is first come, first served, and space is limited.
Going to a Discoveries Program at The Metropolitan Museum of Art – www.metmuseum.org/-/media/files/events/programs/progs-for-visitors-with-disabilities/social-narrative-discoveries.pdf
To visit art exhibitions and plan for an enjoyable visit, check out these useful resources www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/access/visitors-with-developmental-and-learning-disabilities/for-visitors-with-autism-spectrum-disorders.
For further questions or inquiries, visit metmuseum.org/learn/accessibility.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is an art museum on the east side of Midtown Manhattan, New York. It is home to the world’s greatest modern and contemporary art collection.
Create Ability is a series of events open to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and friends to appreciate and create art together.
Each event explores a different theme through engaging activities in the Museum’s galleries and classrooms. MoMa has a sensory map and social guide available at www.moma.org/visit/accessibility.
Create Ability is offered free of charge. The program occurs on the first Sunday of every month, with a few exceptions. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Registration opens one month before the program date. For more information, email AccessPrograms@moma.org or call Access Programs at 212-408-6447.
To receive program updates, go to www.moma.org/visit/accessibility/create-ability-contact-form and complete the form.
To find general information about MoMa events, visit www.moma.org/calendar.
The Intrepid Museum is a museum dedicated to American military and maritime history. It is at Pier 86 on 46th Street, along the Hudson River.
The museum provides free programs and events for people with developmental disabilities, sensory impairments, or autism, and their families. This includes family-led museum tours and art-making activities.
Check out the available programs below:
It takes place on select Sundays during regular Museum hours. Families can take a guided museum tour and participate in art-making activities that everyone can enjoy. Events alternate between virtual and onsite programs. Check out the calendar for upcoming events at intrepidmuseum.org/access-program-events.
Available for children with autism between the ages of 3 and 18. It operates early in the morning before the museum opens to the public! Families receive a sensory bag with interactive activities designed for the whole family and explore the Museum without the crowds. Participants receive a social narrative ahead of time. Check out the calendar for upcoming events at intrepidmuseum.org/access-program-events.
This is for teens and adults with autism or other sensory disabilities and their families and friends after the museum closes to the public! Participants receive a social narrative ahead of time. Check out the calendar for upcoming events at intrepidmuseum.org/access-program-events.
The Jewish Museum is an art museum and repository of cultural artifacts located at 1109 Fifth Avenue.
The museum offers diverse exhibitions and programs and maintains a unique collection of nearly 30,000 works of art, ceremonial objects, and media reflecting the global Jewish experience over more than 4,000 years.
The museum offers a program called ‘Access Family Workshops’ for children and adults who have developmental or learning disabilities, free of charge. Workshops include gallery activities and an art project.
To register:
Learn more at thejewishmuseum.org/programs/visitors-with-disabilities#learning. For more information or to register for a workshop, please call (212) 423-3289 or email access@thejm.org.
The American Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. It has more than 40 galleries exploring the natural world. Caregivers accompanying visitors with disabilities receive complimentary Museum admission.
The Discovery Squad is a one-of-a-kind tour program at the American Museum of Natural History intended specifically for families with autism spectrum disorders. On select Sunday mornings, families can join a 40-minute tour guided by professionally qualified tour guides, followed by exploring activities connected to the Museum halls before the Museum opens to the public. Tours are open to children aged 5 to 14 with autism spectrum disorders, who an adult must accompany.
To register, please email accessibility@amnh.org or call (212) 769-5200. To learn when tours are scheduled, visit their website at www.amnh.org/plan-your-visit.
Get additional information at www.amnh.org/plan-your-visit/tours.
Project Happy offers swimming classes for children who have been diagnosed with behavioral, developmental, learning, medical or mental disabilities. Applicants are referred by health professionals. Admission decisions are made by the Project Director and Assistant. There is no fee for participation in Project HAPPY.
Session starting dates vary by season. Check out each session date at www.happyproject.org.
Location Hunter College Brookdale Campus, 425 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010
Bronx House Swim Academy teaches children with developmental disabilities how to swim. Instructors work one-on-one with each child to help them gain confidence and enjoy swimming. All group classes are structured by age and swim skills. Fees apply. Learn more by visiting: www.bronxhouse.org/aquatics/#classes. For questions contact noelia@bronxhouse.org.
Special needs swim lessons for children of all ages, skills, and abilities. Email danswimcoach@gmail.com for questions. Fees applies. Learn more at www.danswim.com/special-needs-swim-lessons.
Their swimming lessons helps teens and tweens improve their strength, motor skills, and language skills. It uses a water-based and supportive approach to assist participants in reaching their goals. Learn more at www.mmjccm.org/children-families/teens-tweens#programs.
The Adaptive Aquatics Program at SWIM WORKS provides one-on-one training for individuals with disabilities. Qualified instructors give personalized attention to help each participant succeed.
Swim Works is at St. Bartholomew’s Church, 109 East 50th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues in Midtown Manhattan, across from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. To register or if you have questions or comments, please email info@swimworksnyc.com or call Natalie Palmer at 212-378-0219. Learn more at www.swimworksnyc.com/special.htm.
Swim ‘N’ Skills is a swimming program run by OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities) that offers individualized support based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Each child will get personalized swim lessons and one-on-one help from both a counselor and a swim instructor. An ABA Specialist will work with a Disability Services Supervisor to guide all counselors and swim instructors in providing the best support for the children.
The program takes place on Sundays from 9 to 10 am, running from October to March. It is tailored children aged 5 to 17 who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and have received OPWDD Front Door approval. Families can join the program for up to 3 years, but space is limited.
To get started, ]attend an intake/family support meeting to confirm eligibility. Learn how to schedule a meeting at https://www.thehes.org/swim-n-skills-2. For questions about Swim ‘n’ Skills, email disabilityservices@thehes.org or call (718) 241-3000 ext. 143. Learn more at www.thehes.org/swim-n-skills-2.
Extreme Kids Clubs are weekly social groups for neurodiverse youth in New York City. Clubs emphasize confidence building, problem-solving, artistic expression, and social-emotional growth.
Clubs focus on arts, culinary skills, gaming, anime, and photography.
Many clubs are free, while others charge fees, allowing families to engage in programs while maintaining high-quality services and resources. Families select their own tier, with the Connector tier most closely representing program costs.
Clubs are offered in sessions of 8 weeks (about 2 months) by season. Club venues include the Brower Park Branch of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and the Oversea Mission Church in Chinatown.
For information about session dates, go to www.extremekidsandcrew.org/clubs. To join a club, visit www.extremekidsandcrew.org/clubs. For more information, call (347) 410-6050 or email info@extremekidsandcrew.org.
To learn about other programs by Extreme Kids & Crew, visit www.extremekidsandcrew.org.
DMF is a non-profit music school in East Harlem that gives people of all abilities the tools they need to improve as musicians, be creative, and thrive in a community. The foundation offers a variety of free classes and events, both online and in-person.
Examples of classes and events are:
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out for information about tailored programming that may benefit your child by contacting info@danielsmusic.org or calling (212) 289-8912.
For additional details about the different classes and events that DMF offers and to access information on registration, please visit their website at www.danielsmusic.org/music-programs.
Updated on July 19, 2024