UC Irvine

This study explored Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)-friendly environmental design standards as an emerging urban design theory. The research sought to articulate ASD-friendly design guidelines derived from the literature, as well as investigate the relevance of ASD-friendly design to real-world environments.

A systematic review was utilized to determine cohesive ASD-friendly design standards from the body of literature, defined as design features agreed-upon by at least 50 percent of the empirical studies included in the systematic review. An observational study was designed in order to test whether ASD-friendly design guidelines are applicable to non-ASD individuals, and how they play a part in determining utilization of plaza locations.

Three unique plaza locations at the University of California, Irvine Main Campus were photographed over three days, yielding 94 total photographs; 58 of these photographs were included in the analysis.

The systematic review identified eight design features from the literature: low stimulation, predictability/consistency, retreat space, wide circulation spaces/proxemics, natural light and/or avoiding flickering/buzzing lights, low noise levels, minimization of "fascinators," and use of low-arousal colors. The observational study found that an increase in number of users increases opportunity for social interaction, the presence of more than one personal greatly increases social interaction, retreat space and sufficient shade from sunlight were the most important design features among the ASD-friendly design features tested, and ASD-friendly design criteria need to be weighted based on empirical findings.