Social Narrative: Visiting the Hjemkomst Center
A social story is a narrative tool designed to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) understand and navigate social situations, daily routines, or specific events. It uses descriptive and supportive language to explain social expectations, provide information, and promote appropriate behavior and understanding.
Click here to download a PDF of the social story.
Click here to download a PDF of the social story.
Trip Details
I will be going to the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead on this date: _______________. I will be going at this time _______________ until this time _________________.
Before I go, I can check the website at www.hcscconline.org for more information. If I find information online, I can print it out and take it with me.
I can call the museum if I have specific questions at 218-299-5511. When I hear the options on the directory, I can select 1 to speak to someone at the admissions desk. I can check the website or call the museum to determine the cost.
Before I go, I can check the website at www.hcscconline.org for more information. If I find information online, I can print it out and take it with me.
I can call the museum if I have specific questions at 218-299-5511. When I hear the options on the directory, I can select 1 to speak to someone at the admissions desk. I can check the website or call the museum to determine the cost.
Transportation
The address of the Hjemkomst Center is 202 1st Avenue North in Moorhead, Minnesota.
Before I go, I can look up driving directions on my phone or online.
If I am taking the bus, I can look up the routes and times online or on the MATBUS app.
I can park in the parking lot in front of the building. Parking is free.
Before I go, I can look up driving directions on my phone or online.
If I am taking the bus, I can look up the routes and times online or on the MATBUS app.
I can park in the parking lot in front of the building. Parking is free.
Entering the Museum
When I park or get off the bus, I will enter through this door.
Once inside, I will turn left to go down this hallway to the gift shop to pay admission.
At the gift shop, I will pay to get into the exhibits with cash or my credit/debit card.
If the museum has free brochures with information about the space, I can take one.
I can find the exhibits by following signs, viewing the museum map, or ask a staff member for help.
I can find the exhibits by following signs, viewing the museum map, or ask a staff member for help.
Personal Needs
I can find the bathrooms next to the gift shop or on the third floor near the museum offices.
Drinking fountains are near the elevator on the main floor and third floor.
Drinking fountains are near the elevator on the main floor and third floor.
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The bathroom on the first floor is located near the gift shop.
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The bathroom on the third floor is located near the museum offices.
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I can determine where the bathrooms are by looking at the museum map, following signs, or asking a staff member for help.
If I need an elevator, it is located down the hall from the gift shop. I can check the map, ask a staff member, or follow signs to find it.
If I get hungry or thirsty, there are vending machines in the coat room by the gift shop where I can purchase a snack or drink with cash or my credit/debit card.
I can eat my snack at the tables outside the gift shop. I am not allowed to eat or drink in the exhibit galleries.
Activities
While at the Hjemkomst Center, I can watch a 12-minute video about the Hjemkomst Viking Ship, take a 30-minute guided tour of the Stave Church outside, and view the other exhibit galleries.
I can watch the 12-minute video about the Hjemkomst Viking Ship in this room.
If I want to go on a guided tour of the church, I will meet the tour guide at this door on the top of the hour.
When I am in the galleries I am expected to speak in a low voice and not touch the artifacts.
Objects I CANNOT touch have this symbol by them.
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Objects I CAN touch have this symbol by them.
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I can view the exhibits at my own pace and sit down on the gallery benches if I need to rest.
During these activities, I might experience noise from the fans and videos playing in the ship gallery. In the church, it might be cold in the spring and fall and hot in the summer. If I visit in the fall or in the spring, I might need to wear my jacket. The museum has umbrellas to use if it is raining.
The museum shares the building with the community theater so I might hear them making construction noises, smell wood or paint, or see lights change in the theater from the museum galleries. I might also hear them rehearsing for their next performance.
During these activities, I might experience noise from the fans and videos playing in the ship gallery. In the church, it might be cold in the spring and fall and hot in the summer. If I visit in the fall or in the spring, I might need to wear my jacket. The museum has umbrellas to use if it is raining.
The museum shares the building with the community theater so I might hear them making construction noises, smell wood or paint, or see lights change in the theater from the museum galleries. I might also hear them rehearsing for their next performance.
Sensory Needs
If I am feeling overwhelmed, I can go to the Elm room on the third floor.
I can determine where the Elm room is by looking for signs or asking a staff member.
If there are no quiet spaces available, I can go outside if that is more comfortable. If I am wearing my admission sticker, I will be able to get back into the museum.
If I need help, I can ask a staff member.
If there are no quiet spaces available, I can go outside if that is more comfortable. If I am wearing my admission sticker, I will be able to get back into the museum.
If I need help, I can ask a staff member.
Sensory Tools
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I can bring my own sensory tools (fidgets, headphones, visuals, etc..) to use at the museum.
I can bring sensory snacks, but I’m only allowed to eat or drink them at the tables across from the gift shop. Food and drink are not allowed in the exhibition galleries.
I can ask the staff member in the gift shop to borrow sensory tools. The museum has a box with headphones, fidgets, and visuals that I can borrow for free. I will need to return these tools to a staff member before I leave.
I can ask the staff member in the gift shop to borrow sensory tools. The museum has a box with headphones, fidgets, and visuals that I can borrow for free. I will need to return these tools to a staff member before I leave.
Departure
When my time at the museum is over, I can pack up everything I brought, bring it with me, and exit the building.
If I borrowed sensory tools from the museum, I will return them to the gift shop before I leave.
If I borrowed sensory tools from the museum, I will return them to the gift shop before I leave.
I will exit through the front door.
If I need help finding the exit, I can ask a staff member, or follow the signs.
