Expanding Inclusiveness –– Integrating Students with ASD

This paper is an introduction to designing learning environments for school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This paper outlines recommendations for educational environments that consider the needs of students with autism. It explains some of the key markers and symptoms of the disorder and the perception or the experience of space by people on the autism spectrum as documented by various research studies. Lastly, a set of preliminary design criteria and recommendations provide guidance for designers and educators to help them design and/or adjust educational environments for school and daycare spaces that help better integrate children on the spectrum into the learning environment.

keywords: Architectural design, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), built environment, learning environments, spatial awareness, spatial interaction