The library downtown added a sensory hour and it totally changed my kid's experience

My son is autistic and gets overwhelmed by noise really easily (like, we can't even do grocery runs without planning ahead). Last Tuesday the central library in Portland started a low-sensory hour from 9 to 10 AM, no lights flickering and no loud announcements. I expected maybe a quieter room, but they had dimmed the whole floor and even had fidget toys out at the desks. Has anyone else found a local spot that does something similar? It's been a game changer for us.

2 comments

2 Comments

jason_stone16d ago

Did they give you a heads up before the noise machines kicked back on?

karenhenderson15d ago

@jason_stone that's a good question but like, is it really that serious though. My kid has autism too and yeah its loud sometimes but we just teach them to deal with it instead of making the whole library dim and quiet. Honestly seems like a bit much when they could just bring headphones or something.