A visit to the Early Start Discovery Space
Get ready for an exciting adventure! This story will help you know what to expect when you visit the Early Start Discovery Space. It's a place full of fun things to see and do, and this story will help you feel comfortable and ready to explore!
In collaboration with Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia), Early Start Discovery Space has created two resources we believe will be valuable for all children and their adults (including teachers) visiting with an autistic person, and those with sensory sensitivities. You can read the Social Story on this webpage, or you can click the link to download, print and review in preparation for your visit. This Social Story will illustrate what to expect upon arrival and what you might see and experience throughout the different spaces.
Our Sensory Map uses symbols to indicate high and low sensory areas throughout the Discovery Space, and places you can eat and rest.
Today I am going to visit the Early Start Discovery Space.
Other children will be there too with their adults.
Once inside, I will line up and wait to be greeted by a friendly Discovery Space staff member.
I will enter through gates.
The Discovery Space has a few rules that help us stay safe.
I will try to follow these rules.
Adults must supervise children at all times.
Be gentle, share and return items where they belong.
Soft soled and enclosed, please.
Relax in our Discovery Garden and Circle Garden
We do not carry medication (including Epipen and asthma relievers).
I will tell an adult if I need to go to the bathroom. They have hand dryers that can be loud.
If at any time I lose my adult, I can ask a friendly staff member wearing an orange shirt to help me find them.
Low sensory
High sensory
In this garden, I can slide down the slide, dig in the sandpit and play in the mud kitchen.
I can also go up the ramp or climb rocks to play on the playground equipment.
In the Discovery Gardens, I can eat and drink at the picnic tables, try water painting and explore the creek. My clothes might get wet.
If I want to, I can do some building at Construction, in The POD and in the Bricks and Clicks room.
At the Marketplace, I can grab a trolley, select some items, put them in my trolley, and pretend to pay for my items at the checkout.
At Antarctica Field Research, I can climb up the ladder and pretend I am on a ship.
In the cave, I can explore and climb through tunnels.
It is dark.
At the Critter Café, I can pretend to be a chef and cook pizzas, make sandwiches, burgers, and salads.
Here, I can explore, play, and dress up as different people!
There’s a model train I can drive using the lever and a large train I can pretend play in.
In creARTivity, Discovery Space staff will give me access to resources to create an artwork.
In the Discovery Space, there are other areas I can visit too, like the Nursery, Bakery, Campsite and fish tank.
Nursery
Bakery
Campsite
Fish tank
I can play with the Discovery Space staff if I want to, listen to a story at Storytime or take part in an activity with others.
If it is too loud for me, there are areas I can go that are quieter.
I can go outside to the Discovery Garden.
Or I can go to the Circle Garden, where I can use all the equipment.
I can also go to The Sanctuary. Here, I can use the sensory swing, cubby and sensory wall.
I can also go to a cozy book nook, rest and read books. It is the perfect place to relax.
When we are ready to leave the Discovery Space, I can walk out with my adult.
There is a gift shop near the exit door where I might be able to purchase toys or games with my adult.
It is now time to leave
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