Playing on the Spectrum: Exploring How to Create Playgrounds More Accessible for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Playground design in the United States fails to address the needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As an exploratory study of the importance of play and the obstacles playground environments create for children with ASD and their families, this thesis examines two spheres of research and proposes considerations for improved playgrounds. The first sphere includes research into childhood development and education, looking into the available treatments and teaching strategies for children with ASD. The second focuses on the built environment, exploring the research into how architecture and landscape architecture address the design of spaces with the needs of the ASD community in mind. Using the information gathered from this review of existing literature and resources, I created a checklist of considerations to evaluate two precedent sites on how well they meet the needs of the ASD community. This checklist highlights aspects of the park or playground design deficient or especially effective in terms of ASD accessibility. This checklist is envisioned to be an adaptable resource to those who are interested in determining how well a site provides for children and families impacted by ASD and provide guidance for future design choices.