ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Museum and Science Center began offering Sensory Sunday's last spring, but after a lull in the program, Sensory Sunday is back to offer visitors a softer sensory experience.

“Like imagine having like eight TVs surrounding you, all on a different station, all on max volume, talking at you all at once with flashing lights and uncomfortable things,” said 17-year-old Jordan Smith. “That’s a sensory overload.”

Smith was diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder at the age of 9.

“Since then, it’s been hard to find things that are inclusive and that I can take part in and not feel overwhelmed or get a panic attack,” Smith said.

But now at the age of 17, she is finding ways to spread awareness and overcome her disorder, which is why she decided to attend this month’s Sensory Sunday at the Rochester Museum and Science Center.

“It’s always nice to feel included,” she said. “Like, I’m a 'quote on quote' normal kid and it’s just nice to see that people can and have the ability to take these few extra steps to help make everything accessible to everybody.”

The museum began its Sensory Sunday program last spring, but after a lull in Sensory Sundays, they are back in hopes of reaching more community members and spreading the word about the program.

“We realized that we don’t see a lot of people from the autism community come in as regularly as we would like and so its directed toward people who need that extra sensory experience,” said Travis Hughes, manager of Floor Experiences and Volunteers at the Rochester Museum and Science Center’s Science Center.

The Sensory Sunday Program, which the museum eventually hopes to hold once a month, occurs during set morning hours to provide museum visitors the opportunity for a softer sensory experience.

“It’s essentially, dim the lights, turn off all music, and just let people wander,” Smith said.

It's a rare opportunity that Smith hopes will spread awareness for herself and others that struggle with sensory processing.

“And help advocate for them and to help educate the youth and everyone essentially that this is a problem but we’re still people,” she said.