Discovery Squad

The American Museum of Natural History is proud to offer The Discovery Squad, a unique tour program designed for families affected by autism spectrum disorders. The program was developed in collaboration with the Seaver Autism Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

On select Saturday mornings, families can attend a 40-minute tour led by specially trained tour guides, then spend some time exploring the Discovery Room before the Museum opens to the public. Families are invited to stay after the tour and enjoy the Museum when it opens to the public at 10 am.

Tours are open to 5–14 year-olds with autism spectrum disorders. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.

Children ages 5–9 will discover the dioramas in the Jill and Lewis Bernard Family Hall of North American Mammals, which offers a snapshot of the plants and animals native to North America. They will then plunge into the ocean to explore the dioramas in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life.

Children ages 10–14 will take a trip through the David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth to explore the planet we live on and the forces that create volcanoes, earthquakes, and rock formations.

Discovery Squad Dates: 
Saturday Mornings
January 14, 2017
February 18, 2017
March 18, 2017
April 1, 2017
May date TBA
June 3, 2017

Open to: 5–14 year-olds with autism spectrum disorders (Each child must be accompanied by an adult.)

Time:  9-10 am

Tickets: Free

Space is limited and advance registration is required. Walk-ins will not be accepted. Programs may be subject to change.

To register for a Discovery Squad tour, please call Central Reservations at 212-769-5200, Monday-Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

For additional information, please call 212-313-7565 or email accessibility@amnh.org.