The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) is pleased to offer a program for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community: a once-a-month ASD Morning in which the Museum opens early for adults and children on the autism spectrum and their families, friends, and caregivers. This innovative program encourages individuals to explore, play, and discover the treasures The Nat has to offer in an environment that is comfortable for them.
ASD Mornings have been postponed. Please check back for updates.
ASD Mornings take place the second Sunday of every month. The Museum will open at 9 AM*, one hour earlier than its standard 10 AM opening time, providing a quiet and less-crowded environment for visitors to explore the Museum’s galleries at their own pace. In addition, on ASD Mornings the Museum will offer a “quiet room” from 9 AM to noon if visitors need a quiet space to decompress or desensitize.
General admission rates apply during ASD Mornings. For admission rates and ticketing information, click here.
Social stories are guides to help prepare individuals with autism for social interaction and public events. There are social stories for seven museums in Balboa Park, which were co-authored by high-functioning young adults with autism as part of a project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Foundation for Autism Research (NFAR), and the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership.
San Diego Natural History Museum
Social Story English (PDF) / Spanish (PDF)
Visit Social Stories for a complete list of social stories for Balboa Park museums.