Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Designing for Autism aims to increase knowledge about the influence of the natural and man-made environment on individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other forms of intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD). Individuals with ASD and other developmental disorders display enhanced sensitivity to the surrounding environment, particularly due to sensory processing deficits.

. Statement of Aims Designing for Autism aims to increase knowledge about the influence of the natural and man-made environment on individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other forms of intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD). Individuals with ASD and other developmental disorders display enhanced sensitivity to the surrounding environment, particularly due to sensory processing deficits. For many, sensory processing deficits such as sensitive eyesight or hearing can make the built environment a distracting and even frightening place. In her autobiography, Temple Grandin described autism as “seeing the world through a kaleidoscope and trying to listen to a radio station that is jammed with static at the same time.”(Grandin, 2006, p. 53). Environmental psychologists and educational researchers recognize that the built environment has a effect on learning and behavior (Khare & Mullick, 2009; Gaines, 2008; Shabha, 2006; Lackney, 2003; Dunn, Griggs, Olson, Beasley, Gorm