DESIGNING SPACES FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN : INTEGRATION OF THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS IN ARCHITECTURE

Abstract

“I think in pictures. Words are like a second language to me. I translate both spoken and written words into full-color movies, complete with sound, which run like a VCR tape in my head. When somebody speaks to me, his words are instantly translated into pictures.” - Dr. Temple Grandin in her autobiography Thinking in Pictures (1995) It would be a walkover to make a wager if there was anyone in the world who recollected memory in only words - without imagery, sound or emotion. Dr. Grandin could not have made the case better, especially for the less fortunate and marginalised communities that hover in the background of today's society. Focusing on one such group in particular, the often neglected autistic, this dissertation aims to determine whether architecture can be incorporated in therapy for autistic individuals. Coupled with substantiation from preliminary research into the world of autism and the social stereotyping and repression affected individuals face on a daily basis, this foray seeks to discover the synergy between architecture design and autistic therapy. In that light, this study will hopefully become a platform whereby are future investigations regarding designs for autistic children in public spaces can be launched. The initial writings will serve to highlight some basic concepts regarding visual and spatial perception of autistic individuals through touch and vision sensations, followed by a social discussion in local context regarding problems individuals affected by autism face in both private and public spaces. Then the study will take a turn to investigate the relevance of architectural-spatial factors and determine its relevance to autistic therapy in both private and public spaces.