Focused Interests, Motivation, and Museum/Gallery Attendance – A Mixed-Methods Survey Exploring Autistic Adults’ Experiences and Wellbeing Outcomes

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Metadata sources used for this reference

OpenAlex Crossref OpenCitations
Learn more about the sources used

Dantas, S. & Fletcher, A. (2025). Focused Interests, Motivation, and Museum/Gallery Attendance – A Mixed-Methods Survey Exploring Autistic Adults’ Experiences and Wellbeing Outcomes. Neurodiversity, 3. https://doi.org/10.1177/27546330251394513

Publication date: 1 Nov 2025 Added to AutiHub: 12 Sep 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) OpenAlex source

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
2
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 2 (50.0%)
  1. Sarah Dantas *
  2. Aimee Fletcher

Abstract

Focused interests are characterised by high attention and focus, and are commonly experienced by autistic people. While some research frames these interests as inflexible and non-social, other research has highlighted many positive impacts for autistic people. Research also shows that cultural activities, such as museum and art gallery visits, can facilitate and promote health, including mental health, in the general population. This study used an online mixed-methods survey to explore relationships between focused interests, motivation, museum/gallery attendance, and wellbeing for 45 autistic and 44 non-autistic participants. Findings include (a) both autistic and non-autistic participants reported having focused interests, which had a similar nature and served similar purposes for both groups; (b) exploring focused interests in museums/galleries related to more positive emotions during visits for both groups, but autistic individuals more frequently raised sensory and accessibility concerns; and (c) autistic participants reported significantly lower wellbeing, but focused interests, motivation, and museum/gallery attendance did not significantly impact wellbeing. Our findings highlight the deep meaning and positive impact of focused interests on autistic lives, the potential of galleries and museums to provide opportunities for the meaningful exploration of focused interests, and the importance of minimising accessibility barriers for autistic people in these spaces. Lay Abstract Some research says that focused interests – meaning interests to which people dedicate a lot of attention, time, and focus – are bad for autistic people, but other research indicates that focused they can be good in many ways, like helping in careers or education. Visiting galleries and museums can be good for human wellbeing, but we do not know if that works in the same way for autistic people specifically. This study looked at whether focused interests, motivation, and museum/gallery attendance contributed to better wellbeing for autistic adults. We also checked if non-autistic people had focused interests, and if there were any differences in autistic and non-autistic people's interests. We looked at the different experiences and needs of autistic and non-autistic people when visiting museums/galleries. To do this, we asked 45 autistic and 44 non-autistic adults to complete an online survey including ratings on scales and open text boxes. We analysed participants’ scale ratings using statistics, and their open answers using content analysis, which helps researchers find the most frequent categories in text. Autistic people's focused interests, motivation, and museum/gallery attendance did not impact their wellbeing in the statistical analysis, but some participants wrote that they used their focused interests to help their wellbeing and mental health. Autistic people reported focused interests more frequently than non-autistic people, but the content and purpose of their interests were similar. Both groups talked about good experiences in visiting museums/galleries and exploring their focused interests there, but autistic people specifically complained about environments that were not accessible. Our findings show that being able to explore focused interests in galleries and museums can lead to positive feelings, while barriers in the environment and accessibility issues can stop autistic people from enjoying their visits and exploring their interests.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 12 Sep 2026 17:55.

Cited references
55
With a DOI
43
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
12
10 / 55 (18.2%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
6 / 55 (10.9%)
References with detected author names
50 / 55 (90.9%)
Without detected author names
5
Without a structured title
6
Without a stable identifier
12
References with raw author names still to review
5
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
173
From DOI or external metadata
173
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
5
73 / 173 (42.2%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 100 / 173 (57.8%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
12 / 173 (6.9%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 12 / 73 (16.4%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 10 / 158 (6.3%).
  2. Laura G. Anthony , Lauren Kenworthy , Benjamin E. Yerys , Kathryn F. Jankowski , Joette D. James , Madeline B. Harms et al. (2013). Interests in high-functioning autism are more intense, interfering, and idiosyncratic than those in neurotypical development . Development and Psychopathology, 25(3), 643-652. Cambridge University Press (CUP).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1017/s0954579413000072 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2044383029
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  5. Ana Antonetti , Tina Fletcher (2016). Parent Perceptions of Museum Participation: A Comparison Between Parents of Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorders . Inclusion, 4(2), 109-119. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1352/2326-6988-4.2.109 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2411397596
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  6. Steven K. Kapp * , Kristen Gillespie-Lynch , Lauren E. Sherman , Ted Hutman (2013). Deficit, difference, or both? Autism and neurodiversity. Developmental Psychology, 49(1), 59-71. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1037/a0028353 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2124715426
    AutiHub · Autistic Autism Scholarship Project Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  8. Katherine Ardeleanu , Hillary Steinberg , Tamara Garfield , Samuelle Voltaire , Lindsay Shea , M. Brown et al. (2025). Self-identification of autism: Why some autistic adults lack a clinical diagnosis and why this matters for inclusion . Autism, 29(9), 2344-2355. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/13623613241297222 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4404460462
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  9. Mary Ann Winter-Messiers (2007). From Tarantulas to Toilet Brushes . Remedial and Special Education, 28(3), 140-152. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/07419325070280030301 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2151278763
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  10. Koenraad Frans Cuypers , Margunn Skjei Knudtsen , Maria Sandgren , Steinar Krokstad , Britt Maj Wikström , Töres Theorell (2011). Cultural activities and public health: research in Norway and Sweden. An overview . Arts & Health, 3(1), 6-26. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/17533015.2010.481288 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2031079722
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  11. Association A. P. (2021). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) . Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  13. Attwood T. (2003). Learning and behaviour problems in asperger syndrome . Learning and behaviour problems in asperger syndrome, 126.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  14. Ivy Y. K. Cho , Kristina Jelinkova , Manuela Schuetze , Sarah A. Vinette , Sarah Rahman , Adam W. McCrimmon et al. (2017). Circumscribed interests in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A look beyond trains, planes, and clocks . PLOS ONE, 12(11), e0187414. Public Library of Science (PLoS).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187414 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2765571443
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  15. Linda Thomson , Helen Chatterjee (2014). Assessing well-being outcomes for arts and heritage activities: Development of a Museum Well-being Measures toolkit . Journal of Applied Arts & Health, 5(1), 29-50. Intellect.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1386/jaah.5.1.29_1 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2048815868
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  16. Bagatell N. (2022). Sensory processing and community participation in autistic adults . Frontiers in Psychology, 13.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  17. Lesley A. Langa , Pino Monaco , Mega Subramaniam , Paul T. Jaeger , Katie Shanahan , Beth Ziebarth (2013). Improving the Museum Experiences of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Families: An Exploratory Examination of Their Motivations and Needs and Using Web‐based Resources to Meet Them . Curator: The Museum Journal, 56(3), 323-335. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/cura.12031 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2068083569
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  18. Simon Baron-Cohen , Sally Wheelwright (1999). ‘Obsessions' in children with autism or Asperger syndrome . British Journal of Psychiatry, 175(5), 484-490. Royal College of Psychiatrists.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1192/bjp.175.5.484 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2112571905
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  20. Mary E. Stewart , Louise Barnard , Joanne Pearson , Reem Hasan , Gregory O’Brien (2006). Presentation of depression in autism and Asperger syndrome . Autism, 10(1), 103-116. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361306062013 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2096548756
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  21. Mariette Bengtsson (2016). How to plan and perform a qualitative study using content analysis . NursingPlus Open, 2, 8-14. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.npls.2016.01.001 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2284386481
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  22. Cameron A Maitland , Sinead Rhodes , Anne O’Hare , Mary E. Stewart (2021). Social identities and mental well-being in autistic adults . Autism, 25(6), 1771-1783. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/13623613211004328 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3160089913
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  23. Ami Klin , Judith H. Danovitch , Amanda B. Merz , Fred R. Volkmar (2007). Circumscribed Interests in Higher Functioning Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Exploratory Study . Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 32(2), 89-100. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.2511/rpsd.32.2.89 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2096953596
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  24. Eva Billstedt , I. Carina Gillberg , Christopher Gillberg (2011). Aspects of quality of life in adults diagnosed with autism in childhood . Autism, 15(1), 7-20. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361309346066 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2115862862
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  25. Lauren M. Turner-Brown , Kristen S.L. Lam , Tia N. Holtzclaw , Gabriel S. Dichter , James W. Bodfish (2011). Phenomenology and measurement of circumscribed interests in autism spectrum disorders . Autism, 15(4), 437-456. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361310386507 10.17615/n6ne-0r74
    OpenCitations
  26. Lauren M. Turner-Brown , Kristen S.L. Lam , Tia N. Holtzclaw , Gabriel S. Dichter , James W. Bodfish (2011). Phenomenology and measurement of circumscribed interests in autism spectrum disorders . Autism, 15(4), 437-456. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361310386507 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2099404168
    Crossref OpenAlex
  28. Paul M Camic , Helen J Chatterjee (2013). Museums and art galleries as partners for public health interventions . Perspectives in Public Health, 133(1), 66-71. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1757913912468523 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2147565990
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  29. Brian A. Boyd , Maureen A. Conroy , G. Richmond Mancil , Taketo Nakao , Peter J. Alter (2007). Effects of Circumscribed Interests on the Social Behaviors of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(8), 1550-1561. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-006-0286-8 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2101715513
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  30. Mikle South , Sally Ozonoff , William M. Mcmahon (2007). The relationship between executive functioning, central coherence, and repetitive behaviors in the high-functioning autism spectrum . Autism, 11(5), 437-451. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361307079606 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2102122077
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  31. Leslie Ann Bross , Jonathan M. Huffman , Mayumi Hagiwara (2022). Examining the special interest areas of autistic adults with a focus on their employment and mental health outcomes . Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 57(3), 289-305. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3233/jvr-221218 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4306746301
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  33. Jonna M Eriksson , Lisa MJ Andersen , Susanne Bejerot (2013). RAADS-14 Screen: validity of a screening tool for autism spectrum disorder in an adult psychiatric population . Molecular Autism, 4(1), 49. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-4-49 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2106068095
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  34. Kristie Patten Koenig , Lauren Hough Williams (2017). Characterization and Utilization of Preferred Interests: A Survey of Adults on the Autism Spectrum . Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 33(2), 129-140. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/0164212x.2016.1248877 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2584331516
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  35. Edmund R. Thompson (2007). Development and Validation of an Internationally Reliable Short-Form of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) . Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 38(2), 227-242. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/0022022106297301 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2108846476
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  36. Sarah Cassidy , Jacqui Rodgers (2017). Understanding and prevention of suicide in autism . The Lancet Psychiatry, 4(6), e11. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(17)30162-1 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2617666343
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  37. Aaron Dallman , Antoine Bailliard , Clare Harrop (2022). Identifying Predictors of Momentary Negative Affect and Depression Severity in Adolescents with Autism: An Exploratory Ecological Momentary Assessment Study . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52(1), 291-303. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04935-8 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3134468787
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  38. Rebecca Wood (2021). Autism, intense interests and support in school: from wasted efforts to shared understandings . Educational Review, 73(1), 34-54. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/00131911.2019.1566213 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2915127262
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  39. Nikolas J. Stimpson , Laura Hull , Will Mandy (2021). The Association Between Autistic Traits and Mental Well-Being . Journal of Happiness Studies, 22(1), 287-304. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10902-020-00229-5 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3004923953
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  40. Rachel Grove , Ilona Roth , Rosa A. Hoekstra (2016). The motivation for special interests in individuals with autism and controls: Development and validation of the special interest motivation scale . Autism Research, 9(6), 677-688. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.1560 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2149687380
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  41. Department for Culture Media and Sport. (2024a). Participation Survey: Annual report museums and galleries. UK Government.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  42. Department for Culture Media and Sport. (2024b). Reasons for visiting museums and galleries. UK Government.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  43. Department for Culture Media and Sport. (2024c). Participation survey: Demographic breakdowns. UK Government.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  44. Ailsa Russell , Kate Cooper , Stephen Barton , Ian Ensum , Daisy Gaunt , Jeremy Horwood et al. (2017). Protocol for a feasibility study and randomised pilot trial of a low-intensity psychological intervention for depression in adults with autism: the Autism Depression Trial (ADEPT) . BMJ Open, 7(12), e019545. BMJ.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019545 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2766918698
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  45. Dupuy E. G. (2024). Prefrontal engagement predicts the effect of museum visit on psychological well-being: An fNIRS exploration . Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  46. Fletcher A. L. (2025). Neurodivergence in museums: making the cultural heritage sector accessible using participatory practices [Doctoral thesis University of Glasgow]. https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/85238 .
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  47. Fortuna J. (2024). Exploring the usefulness of pre-visit materials for children with autism at a public museum . Translational Science in Occupation, 1(1).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  48. Rachel Grove , Rosa A. Hoekstra , Marlies Wierda , Sander Begeer (2018). Special interests and subjective wellbeing in autistic adults . Autism Research, 11(5), 766-775. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.1931 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2789112474
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  49. Valerie Watchorn , Richard Tucker , Danielle Hitch , Patsie Frawley (2026). Co-designing autism-friendly museums: insights from autistic individuals and museum professionals . Disability & Society, 41(1), 1-22. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/09687599.2025.2494146 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4410126776
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  51. Kent R. (2017). Kent R., Simonoff E. (2017). Anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (pp. 5–32). Elsevier eBooks. https://doi.org/10 . 1016/b978-0-12-805122-1. 00002-8 Anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  52. Richard M. Ryan , Edward L. Deci (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1037/0003-066x.55.1.68 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4242883546
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  53. Marie Lizon , Liesbeth Taels , Stijn Vanheule (2024). Specific interests as a social boundary and bridge: A qualitative interview study with autistic individuals . Autism, 28(5), 1150-1160. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/13623613231193532 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4386408010
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  54. Tennant R. (2007). Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) [Database record . Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) [Database record.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  55. World Health Organization. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. WHO Regional Office for Europe.
    Type: Other
    Crossref