Designing Public Facilities for the Neuro-Diverse Community

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Course Details

In 2018, the Knowlton School of Architecture at the Ohio State University published Autism Planning and Design Guidelines 1.0 (APDG). This document seeks to provide recommendations for the refurbishment of pedestrian and transportation infrastructure, recreational spaces, housing, better accommodations, and anticipation of the needs of those within the neurodiverse community. To better understand these needs, the team that included autistic participants as co-designers and co-creators, developed the Six Feelings Framework — a metric for designers and planners to use during the design process to encourage more neuro-inclusive environments.

The Six Feelings are: feeling connected, free, clear, private, safe, and calm. Each feeling comes with a unique set of guidelines and principles to better understand ways in which autistic adults experience urban environments. Ten years ago WXY Studio designed Reed Academy in New Jersey, a private nonprofit school for autistic students ages 3-21. Reed Academy is designed to equip every student with the learning and life skills they need so they can live, work, and thrive in their communities. Learn through the research framework and applied design how the needs of the autistic community can be met.

Learning Outcomes

  • Learn about efforts made within the neurodiversity movement, with emphasis on autism and accommodation, and provide two distinct differences between the Six Feelings Framework and other design processes/standards.
  • Understand the demographic trends within school-age populations and the increasing need for sensory accommodations.
  • Consider design principles specific to neurodivergent populations, particularly for students and adults. Showcase an example of school design that is specific to the needs of autistic students.
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