A National Inventory of Museum Autism Inclusion: Analysis & Findings

Abstract

This presentation reports findings from a national inventory conducted as part of Phase 1. The study examined how museums communicate and structure inclusive offerings for autistic visitors and related audiences through a document analysis of 122 museum websites drawn from 268 museums of interest. Researchers analyzed 358 offerings to understand the types of general admission accommodations museums provide, the specific supports embedded in programs, events, and exhibits, and the ways these practices are described online. Findings indicate that general admission accommodations were the most common form of support, with pre-visit guides, social stories, sensory tips, and on-site tools appearing most frequently. Program and event offerings often emphasized access hours and adapted activities, and were more likely to reflect integrated autism-friendly approaches than separate autism-specific experiences.

Across museum types, inclusive information was most often located on accessibility pages or sections of websites, and most offerings were described as free or included with admission. Overall, the inventory suggests that museums are making meaningful efforts to improve access for autistic visitors, but that key inclusive practices remain unevenly distributed across institutions. As a preliminary, website-based study, these findings offer a broad view of current practice while also highlighting the need for deeper investigation into how inclusive strategies are implemented in lived museum settings.

Download: Presentation_National Inventory Report