Space Center Houston on a mission to be inclusive for visitors with autism

The moon landing was a piece of cake compared to going anywhere with triplets, and yet here is Hope Collins-Montgomery and her three 12-year-old girls.

"Often times we are not able to bring our kids. We might bring our son. Being able to bring them all is an awesome idea," she says.

Here's why: the girls are autistic -- all three of them. But Space Center Houston is making it their mission to make sure they are leading the charge to become more inclusive.

"We want people to come to Space Center Houston and STEM learning is for everyone," said Meridyth Moore.

STEM -- science, technology, engineering and math. They are the very building blocks of the space program, sometimes blockades to those on the spectrum. Collins-Montgomery and her children are some of the 40 members of Hope For 3, an autism group from Fort Bend County visiting the newly revamped exhibits. Because many on the spectrum have sensory issues, visitors can pick up a backpack with dark glasses, a squeeze ball, and ear muffs. There's a visual guide and a sensory score card for each exhibit. If needed, there is even a quiet room. They may seem like a small step for the museum, but it's a huge leap for the kids and their parents.

"We need a lot of other agencies to come aboard, whether it is restaurants, facilities like Space Center Houston. Autism isn't going away," Collins-Montgomery says.