The Role of Collaborative Design in Autism-Friendly Spaces

Neurodivergent children and adults experience a full range of different sensory needs. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to designing autism-friendly spaces. Therefore, it’s important to listen to people with lived experience before adapting an existing space or building a new one.

Interiors: SENSHOME and Autistic Individuals 

 The European SENSHOME project offers a strong example of collaborative design in practice. When developing living environments for autistic individuals, the project team actively sought input from autistic individuals and their caregivers.

Their goal was to create interior spaces that enhance well-being, comfort, and safety—ultimately helping residents “live an easier everyday life” (Wohofsky et al., 2023). To achieve this, designers chose a human-centered approach, which included having 25 workshops with autistic participants. These sessions helped the team better understand the priorities, routines, and preferences of neurodivergent individuals.

Following these workshops, the team collaborated with a smaller group to co-design personalized living spaces. This group included:

• A psychotherapist
• Four designers
• Five autistic teenagers

Assessment tools such as the MIGDAS-2 and ABAS-3 can help individuals and practitioners identify needs in areas like mobility, navigation, and sensory experiences. Consideration through architecture can provide additional support for those with sensory needs.

Each participant used materials and tools to create 3D models of their ideal living spaces. Their input directly informed design decisions, allowing the team to better identify the features needed to support independence and comfort.

As a result of this collaborative process, the SENSHOME project incorporated several key design elements:

• Sound-absorbing materials that let users change their acoustic conditions
• Tables with built-in dividers that enable specific sections for different uses
• Pictograms to make communication and lighting control easier
• Semi-covered armchairs that allow users to rebalance emotions or senses without needing to leave the room
• Centralized visual agendas that permit easier interior environment controls

Outdoors: The Autism Nature Trail

In 2019, the Autism Nature Trail (ANT) began raising $2 million to create a 1-mile loop in Letchworth State Park in New York. Described as the “ANT-ithesis of inactivity” by Dr. Susan Hyman of the Levine Autism Clinic in Rochester, NY, ANT created a place where inclusivity, skill-building, and combatting social isolation are encouraged (Penman, 2022). At the same time, they provided a connection to the natural world with their natural setting.

A vital component of building ANT was the inclusion of autistic voices and their family members. Additionally, they consulted with Temple Grandin, PhD, who is an acclaimed autism spokesperson and is autistic herself. Working together, ANT came up with six guiding principles.

1. Create the Trail in Deep Nature 

Dr. Grandin’s biggest contribution to the project was advising ANT on where to build it. She told ANT co-founder Loren Penman: “Don’t build a strip mall nature trail, even though others are going to try to get you to move it to a city.” Therefore, they decided to build an inclusive trail at Letchworth.

2. Offer an Orientation Spot

The ideal orientation spot is near the trail’s entrance, which allows visitors to learn what to expect and gradually adjust to the environment before beginning the trail.

3. Design the Trail So Everyone Can See the Beginning and End 

Designing the trail so visitors can easily identify where it begins and ends helps promote a sense of safety and predictability.

4. Mark the Trail Clearly Throughout

Recognizable stone markers were used along the trail to indicate the visitor’s location. Designers also marked their eight separate sensory stations by using different trail surface materials. Stone dust was used for the main trail, thereby making the loop wheelchair accessible. When someone goes off the main path, they’ll feel wood shavings beneath their feet to help reorient them.

5. Provide Choices Throughout the Experience 

The ANT team built each sensory station to include optional activities, allowing visitors to choose their level of engagement. For example, individuals may explore natural objects like pinecones, rocks, leaves, or pine needles independently or with others.

6. Construct Sensory Overload Spaces 

Putting certain sensory overload retreats in place, like cuddle cocoons and gliders, provide visitors with a more isolated area to stop and gently rock themselves. The inclusion of these spaces makes the entire trail more autism friendly.

Designing an Inclusive Space 

Collaborating early with individuals who have lived experience, along with professionals trained in autism, is one of the most effective ways to create inclusive environments. This proactive approach helps reduce the need for costly or reactive modifications later. Inclusive design goes beyond individual accommodations—it creates environments that are accessible and welcoming for everyone.

The success of the Autism Nature Trail highlights this broader impact. Letchworth State Park has been recognized as the #1 state park in the United States (Staff, 2021), demonstrating how inclusive design can enhance experiences for all visitors.

Whether someone is autistic, awaiting an autism assessment, or neurotypical, thoughtfully designed spaces can support comfort, engagement, and participation.