Accessibility to people with autism spectrum disorder in museums

Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition that affects the brain development of individuals and consequently has an adverse effect on their social interactions and the manner in which they communicate. Characterized by stimulus hyper selectivity or hypo selectivity, autistic patients often develop stress and pressure resulting from over stimulation as they cannot concentrate on multiple stimuli. This explains why they may not have a pleasant experience when visiting museums. It is therefore very necessary that museums find ways in which they can ensure accessibility and inclusion of every person, without leaving out those with special needs. The first step towards achieving this end is recognizing the unique characteristics of each individual with ASD, then developing the necessary assistive technologies and strategies that incorporate them into the new environment. This research discusses the various tools, guidelines and assistive technologies that may come in handy in ensuring there is inclusion of autistic people in museums and visual art environments.