Built Environment Design and People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Scoping Review.

Giulia Tola,Paul Bain,Tanja Congiu,Jutta Lindert,Valentina Talu

doi:10.3390/ijerph18063203

Abstract

Built environment design can be considered as an influential factor in the quality of life of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This scoping review provides an overview of the current available literature on the relationship between people with ASD and built environment in the specific field of the design of autism-friendly spaces. The literature review allowed the identification of three main factors to be considered when designing for people with ASD—the sensory quality, the intelligibility, and the predictability of the built environment—and, for each of them, a description of the spatial requirements that have been recognized as fundamental according to the specific spatial needs of people with ASD.

Highlights

Built environment design can be considered as an influential factor in the quality of life of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
ASD to autonomously interact with the built environment is often compromised due to constraints arising from the mismatch between their specific spatial needs and the “built form” [2]
Most of them recommended a set of spatial requirements for designing autism-friendly learning spaces and, as a result, they considered the specific needs of schoolchildren with ASD

Summary

Introduction

Built environment design can be considered as an influential factor in the quality of life of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD (and, more generally, of people functioning in an atypical way [1]) to autonomously interact with the built environment is often compromised (and sometimes denied) due to constraints arising from the mismatch between their specific spatial needs and the “built form” [2]. The ASD diagnosis is based on the observation of specific atypical behaviors within these areas. The incidence of the disorder has increased significantly in recent years. The estimated global incidence is of 1 in 160 people [4]; a monitoring study carried out in eleven states

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Discussion

Conclusion