Defining a process : planning an art museum field trip for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The purpose of this thesis was to examine the considerations made by educators when bringing students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) into an art museum setting. This action research study investigated why special education teachers are not taking their students to art museums, and carried out the process of planning and going on a field trip to a contemporary art museum with a class of children with ASD. In this study, I collaborated with a special education teacher from a school in Austin, Texas to prepare her class of 7-9 year olds for a trip to The Contemporary Austin. I also explored the role of museum educators, examining the methods that docents use to engage special needs audiences and the benefits of a museum field trip for visitors with ASD from the perspective of an educator at The Contemporary Austin.