What are the main barriers faced by families with autistic children when visiting museums?

The barriers faced by these families are primarily invisible and are divided into four categories: sensory, cognitive, communicative, and social. Stimuli such as noise and lighting can be overwhelming, information may be difficult to understand, and fear of social judgment can make families feel uncomfortable in these spaces.

How does Empower ensure that museums are accessible for children with autism?

Empower works with museums over a process of approximately nine months, where staff is trained, spaces are reviewed, and activities are co-designed alongside families with autistic children. This collaborative approach allows for the adaptation of cultural experiences to the specific needs of the children.

What methodology does Empower use to design inclusive activities in museums?

Empower uses the Teach methodology, which focuses on structured learning and anticipating activities. This involves informing families about what to expect during the visit, including details about activities and the environment, to create a positive experience and reduce stress.

Why is it important that accessibility in museums does not depend on the goodwill of an individual or institution?

Accessibility should be an integral part of the cultural institution's strategy and not just a one-off action. This ensures that a continuous improvement process is maintained and that the needs of all families are taken into account, thereby guaranteeing equitable access to culture.

Which institutions have collaborated with Empower in its mission to make culture more accessible?

Empower has worked with several institutions in Spain, including the Museo de Pontevedra, the Museo de América, and the Casa de México. These collaborations are part of their effort to transform cultural accessibility in public spaces.

Why Museums Should Be Accessible for Children with Autism?

Inclusion

Laura Donis

Founder and CEO — Empower

Why Museums Should Be Accessible for Children with Autism?

10:01·12 November 2026

This article was automatically translated from its original Español version. Read the original

Laura Donis is 47 years old, from A Coruña, a social worker and systemic therapist, and founded Empower in 2020 to make museums and cultural institutions inclusive spaces for families with autistic children.

The barriers faced by families with autistic children are rarely physical. They are sensory (noise, lighting), cognitive, communicative, and especially social: the fear of judgment, that their child's behavior will not be understood, and that they will be asked to leave.

"Many families stop going to cultural spaces not because they don't want to, but because the experience ends up being too stressful", explains Donis, founder and CEO of Empower. Her response with Empower aims to transform how institutions understand accessibility: training teams, reviewing spaces, and above all, co-designing activities alongside the families themselves.

The process with each institution lasts about nine months and involves a group of seven families who participate in designing the supports their children need. Everything is anticipated at least a week in advance: who will be there, what activities will take place, which rooms will be visited. Empower has already worked with the Museo de Pontevedra, the Museo de América, and the Casa de México in Spain, among others. Convincing institutions takes time. "Politically, it would be incorrect to deny that a museum must be accessible", acknowledges Donis, "but mobilizing resources for this remains a challenge."

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Frequently asked questions

The barriers faced by these families are primarily invisible and are divided into four categories: sensory, cognitive, communicative, and social. Stimuli such as noise and lighting can be overwhelming, information may be difficult to understand, and fear of social judgment can make families feel uncomfortable in these spaces.