Indoor environments designed for neurotypical individuals may negatively impact individuals with Autism Spectrum Condition.

Why It Matters

Designing inclusive indoor spaces requires a deeper understanding of how sensory stimuli are processed differently by individuals with ASC. By considering these differences, designers can create environments that promote comfort, autonomy, and overall well-being for a broader user base.

Key Finding

Research shows that autistic individuals perceive indoor environmental stimuli differently than neurotypical individuals, and current design guidelines do not account for these differences, especially for adults.

Key Findings

• Current recommendations for indoor well-being of autistic individuals primarily target children and lack systematic comfort studies.
• There are significant differences in sensory processing between autistic and neurotypical populations, suggesting unique requirements for indoor environmental well-being.
• Existing IEQ guidelines do not adequately address the specific needs of individuals with ASC.

Research Evidence

Aim: To review and synthesize existing literature on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) design and sensory perception for individuals with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).

Method: Scoping Review

Procedure: The review involved a two-step methodology: 1. Identifying, analyzing, and categorizing studies related to IEQ design for individuals with ASC, summarizing findings, and identifying knowledge gaps. 2. Investigating the scientific background on sensory responses of autistic individuals to stimuli within the four comfort domains (thermo-reception, sight, olfaction, hearing) to guide future research.

Context: Indoor environment design, built environment, psychology

Design Principle

Design for diverse sensory processing needs to ensure inclusivity and well-being.

How to Apply

When designing any indoor space, consider conducting user research specifically with individuals who have ASC to understand their unique sensory experiences and preferences regarding lighting, acoustics, temperature, and scent.

Limitations

The review primarily focused on existing literature, which may have gaps in research concerning adult populations with ASC and specific IEQ domains.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: Buildings are often designed for everyone, but people with autism experience the world differently, especially through their senses. This means standard building designs might be uncomfortable or even stressful for them. We need to design spaces that consider these unique sensory needs.

Why This Matters: Understanding how different users perceive and interact with the environment is crucial for creating effective and inclusive designs. This research highlights a significant user group whose needs are often overlooked.

Critical Thinking: To what extent do current design standards implicitly favour neurotypical sensory processing, and what are the ethical implications of this oversight?

IA-Ready Paragraph: This design project acknowledges that standard environmental design criteria may not adequately cater to all users, particularly individuals with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). Research indicates significant differences in sensory perception among individuals with ASC, suggesting that typical indoor environments may not optimize their comfort or well-being. Therefore, this design aims to incorporate principles that address potential sensory sensitivities, drawing inspiration from studies that highlight the need for tailored approaches to lighting, acoustics, and thermal comfort.

Project Tips

• When researching user needs, consider including individuals with ASC and their caregivers.
• Investigate how different sensory inputs (light, sound, temperature, smell) affect comfort and focus for your target user group.

How to Use in IA

• Cite this research to justify the need for user-centred design that accounts for diverse sensory processing, especially when your design aims to be inclusive or addresses specific user groups.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate an awareness of diverse user needs and how sensory perception can vary significantly between individuals.
• Show how you have considered and addressed potential sensory sensitivities in your design choices.

Independent Variable: ["Type of indoor environmental stimulus (e.g., lighting intensity, sound frequency, temperature)","User group (e.g., individuals with ASC vs. neurotypical individuals)"]

Dependent Variable: ["Perceived comfort level","Sensory overload/underload responses","Task performance","Autonomic responses (e.g., heart rate, skin conductance)"]

Controlled Variables: ["Age of participants","Specific sensory sensitivities of individuals with ASC","Familiarity with the environment"]

Strengths

• Comprehensive review of existing literature.
• Highlights critical knowledge gaps in current design practices.
• Provides a foundation for future targeted research.

Critical Questions

• How can designers actively involve individuals with ASC in the design process to ensure their needs are met?
• What are the long-term implications of poorly designed indoor environments for the health and autonomy of individuals with ASC?

Extended Essay Application

• Investigate the impact of specific sensory stimuli (e.g., colour temperature of lighting, type of background noise) on the focus and comfort of individuals with ASC in a simulated learning or working environment.
• Develop and test a prototype of an adaptable sensory environment designed to mitigate common sensory challenges faced by individuals with ASC.

Source

Indoor environment perception of people with autism spectrum condition: A scoping review · Building and Environment · 2023 · 10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110545