(
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"40242","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","title":"Member Story","alt":"Member Story"}}]]My son Derek is 7 years old. He was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, on the Autism Spectrum, in 2009. He LOVES science, and after our first trip to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, I knew we'd try to be members for life! One of his favorite things to see at the Museum is usually the planetarium, I'm sure he'll be an astronaut someday. On our most recent trip, over spring break 2011, we discovered the new Egypt exhibit. He had never been on a plane before, and after seeing the fuselage of the EgyptAir plane, and going through the exhibit, he now asks all the time "Mom, what time is it in Egypt right now?" "How long does it take to get to Egypt?" and "Can we go back to Indianapolis to see the Egypt plane again? I really want to go to Egypt someday." I love the zest for learning that everything at the Children's Museum brings out in my son! He also loves the "digging for dinosaur bones" activity, and even though he is terrified of the animated dinosaurs and sounds you have to walk through to get to it, he is willing to walk through it every time, just to get to the digging area. He is learning to overcome some of his fears to get the prize at the end, which is something that is very hard for kids with Asperger's to do. For that, I will be eternally grateful for The Children's Museum for offering a place for our special kids to feel at home.
Name: Desiree Zimmerman, member for 2 years
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"40243","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":""}}]]
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"40244","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":""}}]]
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"40245","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":""}}]]
Name: Desiree Zimmerman, member for 2 years
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"40243","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":""}}]]
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"40244","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":""}}]]
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"40245","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":""}}]]
