This simulation is produced by the National Autistic Society UK. It provides the perspective of a neurodivergent person’s daily interaction with their environment. This VR experience is an important resource in creating spaces that are more inclusive for the neurodiverse, as well as the neurotypical. Experiencing this simulation raises the importance of designing environments that allow the neurodiverse community to thrive. 

Shelly is an Autism Design Specialist and the founder of Enabling Spaces. With her 20 years of building design and knowledge of autism design, she advocates for enabling environments that allow autistic people to thrive. 

As Principle of Interiors in GroupGSA Melbourne Studio, Sonja has over 20 years of experience in interior design, project coordination and concept design. Her interests have brought her to delve into research about design and its impact on sensory processing in the neurodiverse community.  

Professor Leonards specialises in researching visual perception, attention and action. Her research falls into cognitive neurosciences and humanoid robotics. Working alongside neurologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists and other experts in the field, Ute has been able to examine human behaviour in response to visual stimuli and interaction with their environment. She is currently working at the University of Bristol, UK and undertaking research on how patterns in the visual environment impact our movement, health and wellbeing.

Zoe is an expert in autism, sensory integration, occupational therapy and child development. Her research has led her to understand and empower individual differences as well as understanding the importance of early sensory and motor experiences on an individual’s behaviour and learning. She has also been research assistant for Dr. A. Jean Ayres, creator of Sensory Integration Theory. Currently, Zoe is part of the Jefferson University Occupational Therapy Department faculty and continues to partner with individuals and organisations to increase support for sensory needs.

Steve Maslin is RIBA chartered architect (1992) and has used his expertise to create positive environments and build user friendly environments. He is currently Design Director of Initiative Homes and Senior Research Fellow at the Schumacher Institute for Sustainable Systems. One of his areas of expertise is designing for the mind and wellbeing, identifying the relationship between building design and neurodiverse conditions.

Magda is an architect and researcher aiming to create environments that allow individuals on the autism spectrum to thrive. She is currently an Associate Professor at the American University, Cairo and Design Associate at Progressive Architects, Cairo. Some of her most notable work is the development of world-renowned Autism ASPECTSSTM Design Index which is a set of design criteria for autistic individuals. She has published multiple books and journal articles, furthering research on how to create better environments for the autism community.  

Dr Owen teaches design and research in the Master of Architecture and is currently the Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of the School of Architecture and Design at the University of Tasmania. Her expertise in research is in the field of inclusive design and its relation to autism as well as sustainable architecture. Currently, she is leading a multi-disciplinary research project funded by the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education to research for improving support for higher education students with autism. 

Miranda is a principal architect at resource architecture in Australia with a strong background in commercial architectural services for corporate, health, education and retail environments. With a passion for workplace, Miranda seeks to make purpose and meaning explicit for the organisation and its people through facility planning and strategic briefing. 

Workplace Adjustments 

Autistica have released a report about the findings of a survey focused on workplace adjustments for neurodiverse employees. As well as an extensive list of workplace adjustments, the report shares the major discoveries of the survey, ways to improve how workers seek adjustments, the resources required and a suggested framework for implementing adjustments.  The report is very comprehensive and would be beneficial for organizations seeking to create a more inclusive workplace. 

First Place 2009 Opening Doors report 

This report by First Place Phoenix (a collaborative Report by the Urban Land Institute Arizona, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center and Arizona State University), highlights the concerns surrounding the development of autistic adults and lack of support from the federal government in providing tools for mental health, employment and housing options. In this report, some major findings include a lack of design guidelines for autism-friendly housing, as well as very little data around this target market. Additionally, the report also finds a lack of consistency in defining residential options for the population. It provides suggestions of design guidelines and floorplan spaces to create autism-friendly spaces. 

Design Across the Spectrum – University of Tasmania 

University of Tasmania has set out to explore how the design of built environments relates to neurodiversity. The research being undertaken is aimed to create greater inclusion for those with cognitive processing abilities, sensory processing disorders and social preferences. 

Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Higher Education 

This research paper was conducted in partnership with University of Tasmania and identifies the gaps and opportunities in Australia in the provision of supports for autistic students. The paper recommends solutions for inclusive design such as sensory calming areas, acoustics, spatial orientation and more. 

Design Across the Spectrum:  Play Spaces 

This paper was researched by Dr Ceridwen Owen in collaboration with students in Master of Architecture at the University of Tasmania. This research aims to provide a more inclusive play environment for autistic children. It distinguishes the different kinds of play (social, active, solitary, cognitive, etc.) and provides eight “patterns” that should be applied to designing more inclusive play environments to facilitate different kinds of play. 

The Built Environment and its Patterns: A View from the Vision Sciences                            

This scientific research paper is written by AJ Wilkins, Olivier Penacchio and Ute Leonards. They discuss the adverse effects that design elements can have on an individual’s behaviour, brain and wellbeing. It discusses several examples of how urbanised spaces have been designed in such a way that can negatively impact people with neurological and mental difficulties, including autism.

An Architecture for Autism: Concepts of Design Intervention for the Autistic User

This article written by Magda Mostafa aims to ascertain architectural design guidelines for autistic individuals. This is done through gathering data from primary caregivers and teachers of autistic individuals and rank the level of impact certain architectural design elements have on them. The findings of the research discuss the impact of these architectural elements and how these adjustments such as acoustics or implementing sensory transition zones can immensely improve an autistic person’s sensory experience. 

Scoping of Shared Spatial Needs during Public Building Use: ASD and BPD 

Inclusive design enhances environmental competency and removes barriers to enable people to interact with their surroundings in the way they want to. Two disorders that can affect people's environmental competency are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This scoping study found that interpersonal interactions were a key barrier to their use of public buildings. Affordances considered to benefit people with ASD and BPD may include nooks, niches and private seating areas; territorial control; good visibility of wayfinding signage; a range of lighting and materials to enable choice by user. (Maximilienne Whitby, University of New South Wales, Australia)

The Autistic UXer: Understanding, Researching and Designing for Autistic People 

Ashlea McKay shares her perspective as an autistic person and how architects and designers can make design better for the neurodiverse community. She debunks myths about autism and provides ways to empower autistic people through design. 

‘Designing For Autism Spectrum Disorders’ - by Kristi Gaines, Angela Bourne, Michelle Pearson and Mesha Kleibrink

Designing for ASD explains the influence of the natural and man-made environment on individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other forms of intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD). Drawing on the latest research in the fields of environmental psychology and education, the authors demonstrates how architecture and interior spaces can positively influence individuals with neurodiversities by modifying factors such as colour, lighting, space organization, textures, acoustics and ventilation.

Different Buildings for Different Minds

A study by Shelly Dival of the specialised building design of homes and workplaces for autistic individuals. The report discusses design element themes (Designing for the Senses, Designing for the Mind and Designing for the Human Factor) as well as highlighting researchers in the field. 

Sensory Processing and Design

A research blog from Group GSA about Neurodiversity and Mental Health in architecture and interior design. Follow the link to “Sensory Processing and Design” - a research essay about how our senses are engaged in a built environment.

Neurodiverse Placemaking Guidelines

A collaboration between ResourceArchitecture, Dr Wendy Elford and Untapped has produced some Neurodiverse Placemaking Guidelines.

First Place Global Leadership Institute 

Part of the organisation First Place Phoenix, the Leadership Institute aims to address community access to housing and independent living options for autistic individuals and other neurodiversities. It is a multi-faceted institute, engaging itself in research, hands-on training for educators, professionals, support staff and medical personnel and advancements in public policy. 

Orfield Laboratories 

Located in Sound 80s Studios, the world’s first digital recording studio, Minneapolis, Orfield Laboratories specialises in providing architectural design that is comfortable for the senses. They focus particularly on perceptual comfort and cognitive clarity. Their research and work show particular interest in providing universal design to those with perceptual and cognitive disabilities such as autism, along with other neurodiversities.  

The Great Indoors by Emily Anthes 

This book written by New York Times journalist, Emily Anthes, discusses how humans are impacted by the spaces we put ourselves in. These impacts range from mental health and wellbeing, cognition, productivity, performance and relationships. 

HOK’s Guide to a Neurodiverse-Friendly Workplace Design 

HOK is a global engineering, designing and planning firm. The link below provides report investigates on how organisations and designers can adapt the workplace to support all employees: neurotypical and neurodivergent. This resource provides not only design considerations for a more neurodiverse-friendly environment (spatial arrangement, ventilation, environment zoning, etc), but also offers information on changes in the workplace at an operational level. This ranges from providing awareness training, assistive software technology and encouraging intermittent breaks. These guidelines and tips are a valuable resource in creating a more inclusive, engaging workplace experience. 

Knowlton School - Autism Planning and Design Guidelines 

Knowlton School is an administrative unit within the College of Engineering at Ohio State University. Graduate and Undergraduate students from Knowlton School developed a set of guidelines for architects to consider for autistic adults and how to cater to their needs for independent living.

This document was produced in collaboration with expert professionals in neuroscience, mental health, public health and architecture to produce a toolkit to include the autistic community in urban planning. It delves into design and architecture standards for seven areas: downtown, urban, suburban, multi-modal hub, retail, campus and park access. It takes into consideration details such as the width of footpaths and the impact of the structure of bus stops has on an autistic person’s sensory understanding. It is an enlightening document that highlights the need to design all spaces with intention and consideration of the neurodiverse community. 

First Place Phoenix

First Place is an organisation that provides residential programs and supportive housing for autistic individuals and other cohorts of the neurodiverse community. They offer affordable housing for those autistic individuals transitioning from youth to more independent living. 

Homes Matter to Arizona: Affordable Housing Initiative

This organisation is raising funds and awareness for affordable housing in Arizona. With the partnership of over 350 organisations, the fund aims to decrease homelessness, increase affordable housing and better the quality of homes and communities. First Place Phoenix is one of these organisations working towards this goal. Homes Matter has already raised $37 million in grants to finance affordable housing projects. 

Scottish Autism – Struan School 

The Scottish Government makes it a requirement for schools to make their environments safe, calming and stimulating. An example of this is the New Struan School which has been designed with autistic students in mind. This can be seen through colour-coded carpet to distinguish classrooms, calming colour schemes, curved walls (no sharp edges), heated floors, etc.

Shrub Oak International School 

Shrub Oak International school is a private, coeducational, therapeutic day and boarding school for those on the autism spectrum and is located 30 minutes north of New York City. The school’s buildings were designed specifically for autistic student’s sensory needs. This ranges from colour contrasting between walls and floors for space orientation, color-coding and the avoidance of harsh lighting. There is also carpeting with a “felty” feel to reduce the sound of footsteps in the halls. Take a virtual tour of the school and read the article about the architectural design process.

BBC Cardiff – Autism Friendly Office Space

BBC Cardiff is creating their office space to be more inclusive by creating quiet and calm spaces, as well as changes in lighting and office layout. This will be done in collaboration with the neurodiverse community.