In modern society, architecture serves not only as space to fulfill basic human needs but also as a vehicle for enhancing quality of life and social inclusivity.
AND lab recently conducted a research focusing on creating a humanized environment for children with autism through scientific and human-centered space design.
Understanding the Special Needs of Children with Autism
Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. It typically manifests in early childhood, characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication challenges, and repetitive behaviors.
Autism is classified into high-functioning and low-functioning types. High-functioning individuals can live independently and participate in regular activities, while low-functioning individuals require more support and care.
Additionally, autism can be categorized into high sensitivity and low sensitivity types based on sensory responses. High-sensitive individuals have strong reactions to sensory stimuli, while low-sensitive individuals have muted responses.
Children with autism have heightened sensitivity to factors like lighting, sound, and spatial arrangements in their environment. Therefore, designing an indoor environment suitable for them requires careful consideration of their special sensory needs:
Vision
Lighting Control: Children with autism are highly sensitive to bright and flickering lights. We use soft natural light, indirect lighting, and adjustable artificial lighting to avoid glaring light sources and frequent light changes.
Soft Tones: Utilize soft, low-saturation colors to minimize visual stimulation and avoid overly bright or highly contrasting colors.
Simple Patterns: Opt for simple and clear patterns to reduce visual clutter and confusion.
Hearing
Soundproofing Materials: Install soundproofing materials on walls, ceilings, and floors to minimize external noise disturbances.
Soft Sounds: Choose gentle, continuous background music or stable natural pink noise to avoid sudden loud noises.
Quiet Devices: Use low-noise appliances and equipment to reduce mechanical noise in the environment.
Touch
Comfortable Materials: Select soft, comfortable materials like cotton and velvet, avoiding rough or abrasive textures.
Multi-sensory Experiences: Provide furniture and decorations with various tactile options such as soft carpets, comfortable cushions, and touch-sensitive panels.
Temperature Regulation: Ensure the indoor temperature is comfortable to provide a warm and cozy tactile experience.
Smell
Good Ventilation: Maintain adequate indoor air circulation to reduce odors and ensure freshness.
Odorless Materials: Choose building materials and furniture that are odorless to minimize chemical scents that could be stimulating.
Spatial Layout
A well-planned spatial layout can help children with autism better understand and adapt to their environment. Emphasize simple and clear layouts that offer security and predictability.
Sequential Layouts: Design spaces with a fixed order, creating a structured environment that offers predictability and a sense of progression for children with autism.
Functional Zoning: Clearly delineate different functional areas such as study, rest, and activity zones to maintain stability and predictability, helping children with autism understand and adapt to the space.
Clear Signage: Use clear signage, color coding, and straightforward navigation methods to aid understanding and predictability in the environment.
Safety and Cleanliness
Safety Design: Ensure all furniture and equipment meet safety standards to minimize potential hazards such as sharp edges and fragile items. Install protective barriers and safety locks.
Clean and Orderly Environment: Maintain cleanliness and organization to reduce clutter and distractions.
Non-slip Measures: Use non-slip materials on floors and stairs to ensure safe walking conditions.
Functional Spaces
Calm Room: Provide dedicated rest areas where children with autism can find quiet and safety when feeling fatigued or uncomfortable.
Sensory Room: Create interactive spaces like sensory gardens or play areas to help children with autism engage in social and sensory training.
In our research, we have identified several universal design principles to create a more friendly and inclusive humanized environment for children with autism.
Safety: Ensure all design elements meet safety standards to minimize potential risks.
Predictability: Provide a predictable and easily understandable spatial layout to help children with autism establish a sense of security.
Comfort: Focus on spatial comfort and ergonomic design to ensure the comfort of furniture and equipment.
Personalization: Offer personalized design solutions tailored to the individual needs of each child with autism.
Through scientific and human-centered interior design, we can significantly improve the quality of life for children with autism. AND lab will continue to dedicate itself to creating more friendly and inclusive environments for special populations. We look forward to working with you to promote social progress and development.
References
1. Why Buildings for Autistic People Are Better for Everyone, Stuart Shell.
2. How to Design a Home for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alora Bopray, September 19, 2023
3. Advancing Full Spectrum Housing- Designing for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sherry Ahrentzen, PhD, and Kim Steele.
4. Creating “therapeutic landscapes” at home: The experiences of families of children with autism, Wasan Nagib and Allison Williams, Volume 52, July 2018, Pages 46-54. 5. AN ARCHITECTURE FOR AUTISM:CONCEPTS OF DESIGN INTERVENTION FOR THE AUTISTIC USER, Magda Mostafa, Archnet-IJAR, Volume 2 - Issue 1 - March 2008 - (189-211)
6. ASPECTSS* | THE AUTISM DESIGN INDEX, Magda Mostafa, https://www.autism.archi/aspectss
7. You can now experience what it feels like to have autism, Robert Szczerba, https://thenextweb.com/news/can-now-experience-feelslike-autism#gref
8. These Autism Simulations Help You Feel What It’s Like, https://www.bfeye.com/autism-simulations-help-feel-like/
9. A case study on the effect of light and colors in the built environment on autistic children’s behavior, Ashwini Sunil Nair, 1 Radhakrishnan Shanthi Priya,corresponding author 1 , * Prashanthini Rajagopal, 1 Chandramouli Pradeepa, 1 Ramalingam Senthil, 2 Samiappan Dhanalakshmi, 3 Khin Wee Lai, 4 Xiang Wu, 5 and Xiaowei Zuocorresponding author 6 , * https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9748440/
10. .Autism Sensory Room Ideas: Building a Safe Space for Autistic People, James Ward-Sinclair,https://autisticandunapologetic.com/2020/04/12/autism-sensory-room-ideas-building-a-safe-space-for-autistic-people/
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