Prepare for your trip to the museum

The museum is an interesting, interactive and engaging place to visit. We’re working to make them more inclusive for people with autism. Here’s how you can prepare for your trip.

Ask them to visit dimensions-uk.org/AFMTraining to become an autism friendly museum.

Inforgraphic that reads: 80% of people with autism have felt excluded from their community. 60 % worry about being judged and not understood.

Planning to visit your museum? Here’s how you can prepare for your trip…

Talk to your museum staff

Museum staff are keen for more guests to visit their museum and enjoy the exhibits. They can provide information about:

  • what to expect when you arrive there
  • if someone can give you a tour and show you how things work
  • where to find exhibits and information you’re interested in
  • the quietest times to visit
  • events you might be interested in attending
  • share our social story template with them and ask them to tailor it to the museum.

The website for your local museum should have contact details on it.

autism friendly museums gallery visit
When editing the social story ask the museum to provide some photos or if you can take photos for this purpose.

Download our social story template

We have developed this social story for museum guests who have autism.

There are spaces for you to personalise it with information and photos. It is best for you to use real photos from your local museum, so ask them to provide some or if they’ll let you take photos for this purpose.

The social story has sections for:

  • about the museum
  • exhibits at the museum
  • when I visit the library

Download your social story for visiting the museum

Research your museum

Some museums have maps and photos of them available on their website.

These are helpful to understand what to expect when you walk through the door, and how to find key amenities like the toilets.

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