Marymead CatholicCare Autism Centre

17/03/2026

Sensory Friendly Mornings at the National Zoo & Aquarium Canberra 🌿

We are pleased to be hosting two Sensory Friendly Mornings in partnership with The Autism Centre (Marymead Catholic Care), designed to create a calm and welcoming zoo experience for families who may find busy public environments challenging.

🗓 Upcoming dates:
• Sunday 22 March
• Sunday 17 May

Families will be able to enter the zoo early from 8:00 am, before general opening hours, allowing extra time to explore the zoo in a quieter, more relaxed environment. Guests attending the morning will also receive full-day access to the zoo.

During the early access period, we will work to minimise noise and sensory triggers to help create a comfortable space for our visitors.

✨ What to expect:
• Early entry from 8:00 am
• A quieter zoo environment before general opening
• Opportunity to enjoy exhibits at a relaxed pace
• Special reptile meet and greet experience

Guests attending through The Autism Centre can bring children for free! All accompanying adults will require a paid entry ticket.

These mornings are a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with wildlife in a supportive and inclusive environment, and we are proud to partner with The Autism Centre to make this possible.

To book, use this link:

https://ecom.roller.app/nationalzooandaquariumcanberra/theautismcentremarymeadsensoryfriendlymornings/en/product/992089?date=2026-03-22

08/08/2025

You are invited to participate in an important, 10-minute survey focused on autism peer support programs. Closing Tuesday 12 August. https://surveydau.pureprofile.com/survey/selfserve/5e1/250795?list=0

This survey is being conducted by Whereto, an independent research organisation, and aims to gather comprehensive data on the current landscape, effectiveness, and future directions of peer support initiatives for Autistic people. The findings from this research will be instrumental in informing best practices, policy development, and the enhancement of support services across the sector.

Your responses will be kept confidential and will only be used for research purposes.

If you have any questions or concerns about this project, please contact Kathryn at [email protected].

04/12/2024

Quiet Morning at the Mint

The Mint is opening its doors earlier than usual for a morning of peaceful exploration.

Our Quiet Morning is specially designed for those who might have heightened sensory requirements.
Come and visit our newly renovated exhibition space and enjoy the reduced noise and smaller crowds.

When: Saturday 7 December 2024
Time: 9:00am - 10:00am
Cost: Free (bookings are required)
All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Please note, food and drinks are not permitted in the Mint’s gallery area.
For more information or resources, visit our website: https://www.ramint.gov.au/accessibility-information

12/11/2024

We still have a double pass to giveaway. Basically, first in, best dressed at this point.

In partnership with the Canberra Theatre Centre, we have a double pass to give away, for the upcoming show 'Drizzle Boy'. The session will be on Friday 15 November from 7:30 pm. To win the double pass, simply let us know why you would like to attend the show next Friday.

Drizzle Boy was the smash-hit of Queensland Theatre’s 2023 Season, winner of the 2022-2023 Queensland Premier’s Drama Award, and the first time a neurodivergent character has been written by a neurodivergent playwright and portrayed by an actor with lived experience on the Australian main stage.

Strap yourself in for this heartfelt, funny, and important story that’s perfect for the whole family. If you like your theatre fresh, free-wheeling, and unexpected, you’re invited to climb aboard this wonderfully affirmative rocket ride as Drizzle Boy launches out to Canberra this November.

05/11/2024

In partnership with the Canberra Theatre Centre, we have a double pass to give away, for the upcoming show 'Drizzle Boy'. The session will be on Friday 15 November from 7:30 pm. To win the double pass, simply let us know why you would like to attend the show next Friday.

Drizzle Boy was the smash-hit of Queensland Theatre’s 2023 Season, winner of the 2022-2023 Queensland Premier’s Drama Award, and the first time a neurodivergent character has been written by a neurodivergent playwright and portrayed by an actor with lived experience on the Australian main stage.

Strap yourself in for this heartfelt, funny, and important story that’s perfect for the whole family. If you like your theatre fresh, free-wheeling, and unexpected, you’re invited to climb aboard this wonderfully affirmative rocket ride as Drizzle Boy launches out to Canberra this November.

31/10/2024

Sensory Sunday: Sculpture Garden - National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Sunday 3 November
3.00 – 4.30pm
Free, bookings essential

Experience the garden and its sculptures in this creative workshop outside. This will be the final session for 2024 as we take a break in December and January.
Book here: https://connect.nga.gov.au/17246/17271 or RSVP via email to [email protected]

Sensory Sunday is a free monthly program for individuals who identify as neurodivergent including, but not limited to, those who experience Autism, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or Tourette Syndrome.

The program occurs during opening hours, and participation is supported with a Social Story, Sensory Map of the exhibition space and modification of noise and light levels where possible.
Sensory Sunday is an inclusive and creative opportunity to spend time engaging in relaxed conversation and participating in artmaking.

A quiet space for individual activities is included. Noise cancelling headphones are available.

Please email with any questions, sensitivities, or access needs.

08/10/2024

30/09/2024

Our Lego group will resume on Monday the 21st of October, from 3:30 pm to 5:00pm, at a cost of $22 per session ($198 per term). We still have a couple of spots available if your child (5-12ish) is interested. Please email [email protected] to register or for more details.

We are attempting to re-start our Lego group under a fee-for-service model. This will mean a cost is involved for those attending. As a first step, we are gauging interest to see if there are enough families.

We are looking at a cost of $22 per session (per family) for a period of 10 weeks, paid at the beginning of each term, with the sessions being from 3:30pm to 5pm on Monday afternoons.

If you could please let us know whether you are interested in attending. We need a minimum amount of families to make this viable. If there is enough interest, we will aim to re-start the group next term. Please contact [email protected] to register interest or for more information.

29/09/2024

Sensory Friendly Art Steps by Billy Bain
Wednesday 2 October
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
10.30am – 12.30pm
Ages 5 – 12

Free, bookings essential.

Bookings: https://connect.nga.gov.au/17775/19849 or contact [email protected] or 02 6240 6632

Art Steps is a series of creative making activities produced by artists for children to enjoy with family and friends.

This sensory-friendly session of Billy Bain’s Art Steps is designed for children who identify as neurodivergent.

In this activity Dharug artist Billy Bain welcomes us into his wonderful world of clay and sgraffito, using tools to carve into the clay to create linework and detail.

About the workshop:

The program occurs during opening hours. A quiet space for individual activities is included. Noise-cancelling headphones are available. Participation is supported with a Social Story and modification of noise and light levels where possible. The Social Story will be sent via email 24 hours before the workshop.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or carer. Bookings essential for both children and adults.

Please contact [email protected] or +61 2 6240 6632 if you have any questions, sensitivities, access needs or if you require further information.

26/07/2024

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Sensory Sunday
Sunday 4 August
3.00 – 4.30pm
Free, bookings essential

In August Sensory Sunday will be a creative workshop in the Learning Studio. Experiment with the effects of colour in this program inspired by the work of Anni and Josef Albers.

Book here: https://connect.nga.gov.au/17246/17268 or RSVP via email to [email protected]

Sensory Sunday is a free monthly program for individuals who identify as neurodivergent including, but not limited to, those who experience Autism, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or Tourette Syndrome.

The program occurs during opening hours, and participation is supported with a Social Story, Sensory Map of the exhibition space and modification of noise and light levels where possible.
Sensory Sunday is an inclusive and creative opportunity to spend time engaging in relaxed conversation and participating in artmaking.

A quiet space for individual activities is included. Noise cancelling headphones are available.

Please email with any questions, sensitivities, or access needs.

23/07/2024

We are attempting to re-start our Lego group under a fee-for-service model. This will mean a cost is involved for those attending. As a first step, we are gauging interest to see if there are enough families.

We are looking at a cost of $22 per session (per family) for a period of 10 weeks, paid at the beginning of each term, with the sessions being from 3:30pm to 5pm on Monday afternoons.

If you could please let us know whether you are interested in attending. We need a minimum amount of families to make this viable. If there is enough interest, we will aim to re-start the group next term. Please contact [email protected] to register interest or for more information.