Autism affects around 300 000 adults in the
UK – a lifelong and complex condition, it can influence how people make
sense of the world around them, and how they communicate with others.
Developing sensory props for people affected by autism
For
several years,
researchers at the Royal College of Art’s Helen Hamlyn Centre for
Design have been working with autism charity the Kingwood Trust and
consultancy BEING to develop designs to improve the quality of life for
people affected by autism.
Designs for people with autism need to
take into account their ‘unusual and complex sensory responses’,
according to the Kingwood Trust. For example, some people with the
condition have a love of pattern and repetition, which can be brought
into designs.
The research team has created a set of four
handbooks, covering designs for housing, outdoor environments, living
environments and everyday activities. The handbooks can be downloaded
for free
here.
We
look at five projects developed as part of the research programme,
which highlight some of the challenges and opportunities in designing
for people with autism.
What Do You Like? Sensory preference cards
The
cards are used to determine the sensory preferences of people with
autism who have limited verbal speech and additional learning
difficulties. Through using these cards, designers can make more
informed interior design choices. The cards feature preferences such as
‘bright natural light’ and ‘touching silky fabrics’, each of which is
accompanied by a visual cue.
Hubble Bubble Vacuum Cleaner
Hubble Bubble Vacuum Cleaner
Research
revealed that washing up was a particularly popular everyday activity
among people with autism, largely due to the bubbles produced. The
design team looked at ways of extending bubbles into other activities –
in this case vacuum cleaning. A Henry Hoover was adapted with bubble
mix, so that it blows bubbles when used. The Hubble Bubble vacuum
cleaner is currently being piloted at Kingwood to see whether the visual
appeal of the bubbles offsets the negative effect of noise for those
hypersensitive to sound.
Fiddle-Brick
The
Fiddle-Brick is an example of a sensory prop – an object designed to
stimulate the primary senses and enhance living environments for people
with autism. The Fiddle-Brick is inspired by the building blocks and
construction games devised by Friedrich Froebel and Maria Montessori,
and invites participants to stretch, push, pull and rotate individual
brick elements to create novel shapes. By adding more bricks, more
people can join in the activity. The researchers say that engaging with
sensory objects can help people with autism explore and test their
senses, and can also help develop skills in motor movement, cognition,
communication and socialisation.
Sensory Gardens
The
researchers developed guidance for designing gardens that can be
enjoyed by people with autism. The garden designs may need to take into
account highly contrasting conditions – for example, people
hyper-sensitive to touch may become uncomfortable if pathways are lined
with long grass that brushes against them, while those who are
hypo-sensitive may enjoy the tactile experience of different walkway
surfaces. The researchers also developed a series of proposed ‘green
spaces’ which cater to needs including escape and exercise.
Sheema
Sheema
is a system for adapting chairs to create a space in which a people
with autism can feel safe while enjoying the company of others. It
comprises a series of knitted pockets that can slot over chair-backs, as
well as plush, patterned bands that invite touch. When placed over
chairs, the product can create ‘an enclosed den-like space’, researchers
say.
