The Role of the Interior Designer in the Autistic Classroom: Location and Material Selection are Essential for Success

Abstract

The importance of location, lighting, and furniture & finishes are three areas an interior designer cannot overlook. This presentation stems from a dissertation on the importance of multi-sensory room usage in elementary schools. The researcher found that the location of the autistic classroom is one of the most important aspects that is often overlooked by both school leaders and the architects who design schools. Natural lighting should also not be ignored as it helps support healthy circadian rhythms and can be a source of sensory regulation and an opportunity for stimming. Lighting can be detrimental to those with special needs due to the subtle flickering of fluorescent light fixtures, which may not be noticed by the typical person but can be bothersome and interrupt a child with specific sensory issues. Lastly, acoustics, color, and material and furniture selections are critical when designing for students under the autism spectrum. Acoustic control helps to minimize background noise and echo by specifying materials to absorb sound and eliminate reverberation. Research has resulted in a color palette that students on the spectrum respond well to in addition to the importance of seating choice variation within the classroom. Lastly, visual and tactile characteristics of selected materials are vital to satisfy the sensory needs of the students while eliminating unnecessary distractions within the classroom.