Going Online: Building Inclusive Professional Learning Program for Autism

We’ve been working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, educators, and behavioral specialists to develop a hybrid professional learning model aimed at transforming how museums support autistic individuals and their families. This work is part of Building Capacity of Informal STEM Learning Providers to Engage Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, a National Science Foundation-funded initiative focused on embedding inclusive practices into the core of museum culture.

The hybrid learning program builds on three years of prior research in Phase 1, which identified organizational barriers and opportunities for advancing inclusion in informal STEM learning environments. In Phase 2, our charge is to translate those insights into actionable learning—through accessible, reflective, and role-specific training modules designed for real-world museum contexts.

APPROACH

We are designing a series of interactive, online learning modules accompanied by community-based professional learning activities. The goal is to support museum professionals in developing foundational knowledge about autism and inclusive practices, while fostering a deeper culture shift within and across participating institutions.

The hybrid structure includes:

• Asynchronous Learning Modules: Covering foundational topics such as the meaning of inclusion, the difference between accessibility and inclusion, the basics of autism spectrum disorder, and hands-on inclusive strategies. Modules include video content, reflection prompts, mini-assessments, and practical examples drawn from museum settings.

• Role-Specific Learning Paths: Final modules are tailored to staff roles—whether in visitor-facing positions, experience design, operations, or communications—so that inclusion strategies are directly relevant and actionable.

• Community of Practice Integration: Training is embedded within local and national communities of practice to encourage discussion, peer learning, and shared problem-solving. Participants are encouraged to bring module reflections into their community meetings and revisit them over time.

• Capstone Project: As part of the training, participants will embed their learning into a funded-project, applying what they’ve learned to their specific institutional context.

Throughout the development process, we’ve prioritized clarity, flexibility, and practicality. Modules are designed to meet staff where they are—offering digestible content, relatable scenarios, and encouragement for making small changes that add up to long-term impact.

WHY IT MATTERS

While the content focuses on autism inclusion, the strategies are designed to benefit all visitors. The training emphasizes that inclusion is not a fixed destination, but an evolving, participatory practice. By designing a hybrid learning experience that supports both individual reflection and organizational change, we hope to foster museum environments where all people feel welcome, understood, and able to engage fully.

This work is ongoing, and we’re continuing to learn and adapt as we go—guided by input from museum professionals, autistic individuals, and community partners. The development of this training program represents a step toward not only shifting practice, but reshaping the culture of informal STEM learning. Look next for our community facing website, with free resources and space to share ideas.

Posted Mar 21, 2025