Architecture for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Therapists

Norouzi, Neda; Garza, Cristina Michelle

doi:10.1177/19375867211012489

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 15 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…While the effect of the designed environment on children with ASD is well-known, research into how environmental design could support them is lacking (Henry 2011b; Khare, 2010; Martin, 2014; Norouzi & Garza, 2021; Shabha & Gaines, 2011). Instead, research has focused on supportive behavioral and educational interventions.…”

Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

An Exploratory Study Testing Environmental Wayfinding Aids as an Intervention for Children With Autism

Irish

2022

HERD

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose: This exploratory mixed methods experiment aimed to determine whether the application of wayfinding aids (colored doors, shapes on the floor, and signage) as an intervention could help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) find their way to a destination to promote independence. Background: Several individuals with ASD have described the difficulties they experienced finding their way in the environment. This is especially relevant to complex environments like healthcare. Methods: Participants with ASD aged 8–11 ( n = 9) were randomly assigned to control or treatment groups. The test location was an empty school corridor unfamiliar to participants. Each participant was shown the way to a destination using a script pointing out existing cues (control group) or applied wayfinding aids (treatment group). Participants were taken back to the start and then asked to lead the way to the destination. Afterward, they were interviewed about their experience. Data collection included observation, behavioral mapping, and video recording. Results: The variable of wayfinding scripts helped all participants find their way to the destination, but those in the treatment group found their way directly compared to 75% of the control group. Wayfinding aids made the environment more memorable to those in the treatment group. Some children were distracted by environmental stimuli, and some noticed surprising elements that helped them wayfind. Conclusions: Study results suggest that wayfinding instruction could be used as an intervention in environments with and without the application of wayfinding aids. This needs further testing in other environments. Issues included recruitment and random assignment.

show abstract

Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

An Exploratory Study Testing Environmental Wayfinding Aids as an Intervention for Children With Autism

Irish

2022

HERD

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, biophilic design was recently utilized in long-term residential care for people with dementia [ 25 ]. Other studies suggest that it can be optimized for people with post-traumatic stress disorder [ 26 ], autism spectrum disorders [ 27 , 28 ] and to improve mental health outcomes [ 29 ]. The interior design opportunities are further illustrated by reports of biophilic design to mitigate physical and cognitive decline in aging adults [ 30 ], and for those living with disabilities [ 31 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthy Dwelling: Design of Biophilic Interior Environments Fostering Self-Care Practices for People Living with Migraines, Chronic Pain, and Depression

Huntsman¹,

Bułaj

2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The benefits of biophilic interior design have been recognized by healthcare facilities, but residential environments receive relatively less attention with respect to improving the health of people living with chronic diseases. Recent “stay-at-home” restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic further emphasized the importance of creating interior spaces that directly and indirectly support physical and mental health. In this viewpoint article, we discuss opportunities for combining biophilic interventions with interior design, fostering disease-specific self-care. We provide examples of designing residential spaces integrating biophilic interventions, light therapy, relaxation opportunities, mindfulness meditation, listening to music, physical activities, aromatherapy, and quality sleep. These modalities can provide the clinical benefits of reducing migraine headaches and chronic pain, as well as improving depressive symptoms. The disease-specific interior environment can be incorporated into residential homes, workplaces, assisted-living residences, hospitals and hospital at home programs. This work aims to promote a cross-disciplinary dialogue towards combining biophilic design and advances in lifestyle medicine to create therapeutic interior environments and to improve healthcare outcomes.

show abstract

“…Most of the Autism related studies and research are based on the fields of medicine, neurology and psychiatry. In contrast, very little research is done when it comes to the environmental effects on the autistic spectrum ,despite knowing that a person's environment is closely linked to their wellbeing (Gaines et al, 2016;Norouzi and Garza, 2021). That is, a person's comfort, safety, health and emotions are affected by their environment (Siegel and Bay, 1965).…”

Section: 3mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Psychologist Kurt Lewin further asserts, the direct impact of the environment on the individual's behaviour in his concept model of Environmental Behavior Theory (Norouzi and Garza, 2021).…”

Section: 3mentioning

confidence: 99%

Through the looking glass : A milieu for Autism

Cherian¹

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD), is a severe neuro-developmental disorder caused by impairment in corresponding socialization, communication along with repetitive behaviour as the few major symptoms. Those on the spectrum not only face these neurological difficulties. They also have hardship when it comes to the areas of policies and legislations, education and employment sectors, and even within the community and physical environments. A lifelong impairment that requires the state, the government, the architecture and the community to provide sustained support for the individual’s need to ensure quality of life. Architecture, in its fundamental objective, is responsible for creating humane environments that assist the needs of all users including those of special needs individuals. However, research shows that in the streamline design, ASD are part of a growing population that are often ignored when it comes to the design of the built environment. The institutions currently in India do not successfully provide a safe learning environment for autistic children. Furthermore, the existing architecture does not support individuals with autism. These environments also can seem disconnected from the wider society where they are not provided with a safe alternative space. The study explores this issue with the research being based on my experience of growing up with a family member who is in the autistic spectrum. These lifelong experiences are supported and reinforced by literature on the topic with the aim of identifying architecture solutions for design interventions in creating an environment merged with the “realistic world” outside. The design purpose is to create a safe guided environment, that is the community itself as an effective silent support network for individuals with special needs. This thesis outlines the difficulties of the autistic individual , demonstrates potential design considerations thereby providing a possible model for a communal learning environment that enhance the quality of life for the individuals on the spectrum.

show abstract

Architecture for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Therapists

Cited by 7 publications

References 15 publications

An Exploratory Study Testing Environmental Wayfinding Aids as an Intervention for Children With Autism

An Exploratory Study Testing Environmental Wayfinding Aids as an Intervention for Children With Autism

Healthy Dwelling: Design of Biophilic Interior Environments Fostering Self-Care Practices for People Living with Migraines, Chronic Pain, and Depression

Through the looking glass : A milieu for Autism

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About