Autism Friendly Museums: a practical guide to inclusive spaces

Museums should be places where everyone feels welcome, comfortable and able to enjoy learning, culture and creativity. This guide has been created to help museums take meaningful, achievable steps towards becoming autism friendly and more inclusive for neurodivergent visitors.

Developed with input from autistic people and autism specialists, this resource offers clear, practical guidance for museum staff and teams. It explains autism in an accessible way, explores sensory differences and communication needs, and provides realistic examples of adjustments that can reduce anxiety and sensory overload.

From improving environments and sharing information to supporting staff confidence and promoting autism friendly practices, the guide is designed to support museums at every stage of their inclusion journey. Whether you are just starting out or building on work you already do, this resource will help you create a museum experience where autistic visitors – and their families and carers – feel understood, respected and welcome.