Requirements of a Supportive Environment for People on the Autism Spectrum: A Human-Centered Design Story
Source abstract
Abstract
People on the autism spectrum have a different perception of the environment than neurotypical people and often require support in various activities of daily living. Assistive technology can support those affected, but very few smart-home-like technologies exist. To support people on the autism spectrum in their autonomy and safety and to help caregivers, a smart home and interior design environment was developed. Requirements were gathered by employing a holistic human-centered design approach through interactive workshops and questionnaires to create a useful and user-friendly solution. From this process, requirements for a comprehensive solution (the SENSHOME environment) emerged. These requirements include a set of functionalities tailored to the needs of people on the autism spectrum, such as a crowd warning that informs when many people are in a certain area (for example, the entrance), an automatic light regulation system, or a daily life planner that supports task completion. Furthermore, inclusive furniture elements such as a refuge seat or a table with dividers can support wellbeing, autonomy, and safety. This paper demonstrates a consequent and considerable participatory research approach and the story from the target group and context of use through design requirements to the initial design solution of the SENSHOME environment.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility · Technology Use by Older Adults
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Research Unit Active and Assisted Living & Institute for Applied Research on Ageing, Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, 9020 Klagenfurt, Austria
Faculty of Science and Technologies, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Engineering and Architecture Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Indoor Environment, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Funding
ITAT 1088 CUP · CUP · Carinthian Economic Promotion Fund (KWF)
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