Housing Considerations for People with Autism Helen Leigh Nick Haake Andrew Hole

Objectives To explore how to develop a design brief for an individual who has complex needs

The Triad of Impairments Wing and Gould 1979 SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Sensory processing problems Anxiety Rituals and compulsions Rituals and compulsions COMMUNICATION IMAGINATION Personality Learning disability

Designing the Right Environment Reduce anxiety- low arousal settings. Enhance motivation, confidence and self esteem Reduce behaviours which inhibit progress or impair quality of life Enhance concentration/ remove distraction Bespoke design meeting individual needs Keep people safe by providing safe environments

Planning Features Compulsions and obsessions Known Likes/Dislikes Known Likes/Dislikes Challenging Behaviour & Risks Hypersensitivity Phobias Living Space Living Space

Case Study S

WORKSHOP SESSION 2 new building dwellings of 5no. Apartments with shared accommodation and communal accommodation including lounge, dining room, kitchen, activity room, utility room and W.C. Covered verandah to front and rear of buildings. Accommodation to DDA Standard, fully compliant with current Building Regulation requirements. Heavy duty doors and linings. Free swing door closers. Building fabric insulation above current building regulation standards from sustainable natural resources. Extensive provision of natural light with triple glazing and sun pipes. Solar water heating panels. Staff accommodation with en-suite shower room facilities. The gardens are fully landscaped and contain features that are appropriate for the client group. These features include a secure boundary, flower beds and areas to stimulate the clients senses External finishes assist access awareness providing a fully accessible building Fully secure scheme to South Wales Police Secured by Design Standards.

WORKSHOP SESSION Ground Floor Plan (Plot 1) High internal space and volume standards. Principle rooms have double aspect windows. Thermal and acoustic laminated double glazed performance windows, which also reduce glare. Glazing to suit special light transmissions and reflectance. Internal sandwiched solar control glazing blinds which also provide privacy. Enhanced U-Values to all thermal elements. Excellent Air Tightness Values (4.7 – 4.8) far exceeding the Building Regulation Requirement (<10.0). Integrated fire alarm/emergency lighting installations where fitting appearance matches normal domestic appearance. Substantial levels of sound reduction built into proposals from sustainable natural resource Energy management under floor heating installations. Efficient boilers heating source with weather compensated controls. Internal building environment with continuous background air movement throughout the whole scheme. Installation of shut off controls to individual flats. Staff accommodation with en-suite shower room facilities.

Some ideas Separate accommodation Robust Personalised equipment Water sensors Place for staff stuff / storage Lighting issues

Ideas continued Behaviours –How –Space Windows –Light –Sunshield film –Blinds Noise – acoustic issues Controls into kitchen –Robust fittings –drainage