Through the looking glass : A milieu for Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD), is a severe neuro-developmental disorder caused by impairment in corresponding socialization, communication along with repetitive behaviour as the few major symptoms. Those on the spectrum not only face these neurological difficulties. They also have hardship when it comes to the areas of policies and legislations, education and employment sectors, and even within the community and physical environments. A lifelong impairment that requires the state, the government, the architecture and the community to provide sustained support for the individual’s need to ensure quality of life.
Architecture, in its fundamental objective, is responsible for creating humane environments that assist the needs of all users including those of special needs individuals. However, research shows that in the streamline design, ASD are part of a growing population that are often ignored when it comes to the design of the built environment. The institutions currently in India do not successfully provide a safe learning environment for autistic children. Furthermore, the existing architecture does not support individuals with autism. These environments also can seem disconnected from the wider society where they are not provided with a safe alternative space. The study explores this issue with the research being based on my experience of growing up with a family member who is in the autistic spectrum.
These lifelong experiences are supported and reinforced by literature on the topic with the aim of identifying architecture solutions for design interventions in creating an environment merged with the “realistic world” outside. The design purpose is to create a safe guided environment, that is the community itself as an effective silent support network for individuals with special needs. This thesis outlines the difficulties of the autistic individual , demonstrates potential design considerations thereby providing a possible model for a communal learning environment that enhance the quality of life for the individuals on the spectrum.
