'Agricultural specialisterne': rural employment revolution for those with Autism

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Detour to: segregation for well designed work environments where Autistics can thrive

Specialisterne (‘the Specialists’ in Danish) seeks to harness strengths that many people with Autism Spectrum Disorders possess - good attention to fine details, precision, and high tolerance for repetitive tasks. Specialisterne’s founder, Thorkil Sonne, views the ideal outcome of the perceptual shift that his social enterprise is trying to promote to be: that there will be no need for ‘specialist’ companies in the future, and inclusive hiring practices will simply be a hallmark of successful businesses.

The alternative to a fully inclusive model is a more segregated one - where people with Autism work in separate teams and in specific locations, and mix very little with other parts of a workforce. One area where a more segregated model may be useful would be in terms of having employees with Autism Spectrum Disorders located in architecturally-designed workplaces that are specifically suited around their needs. In the future, there may be more employers like the nonPareil Institute in Plano, Texas - whose founders created a model in which work is brought to individuals who work in an environment suited to their needs rather than forcing them to adapt to environments more suited for those without Autism.
(sources: The Autistic Revolution | Jobpostings.ca; nonPareil.Institute - Practical Autism Solutions)

GA Architects (led by Christopher Beaver), which specialises in designing environments for Autism Spectrum Disorders, was commissioned to create residential accommodation for Sunfield School for Autistic children in Worcestershire, England.

Teresa Whitehurst wrote a journal article in 2006 which included a section on the impact of the move to an ‘Autism specific’ accommodation on the children and staff at Sunfield. The parts of this section that may also apply to some extent to Autistic adults, in a potential segregated work environment specifically tailored for them, are quoted below:

…Impact upon Children
…Space staff commented that the design and layout of the building had given the children more freedom and more choice. They could wander round and mix with other children or equally retire to their own space if they did not wish to socialise. This had a major impact upon children having issues with proximity sometimes these children get tense and just need space to be alone.

…Orientation staff observed that curved walls gave a less ‘institutionalised’ feel to the building and made it more aesthetically pleasing. The curved walls facilitate the movement of the children through the environment. A team leader noted that one child in particular liked to move along the curved wall touching it with his hands. The curved walls in the circulation space were noted to have orientation value in that the children on entering the building were guided into the space and were not met by harsh right angle corners which were visually difficult to navigate.

…The long circulation space was specifically mentioned on a number of occasions by staff. This specific design feature had made a big impact on one particular child’s communication. The Team Leader commented that “he has become so spontaneous with his speech”…“the long circulation space has facilitated this. he comes up the circulation space for a purpose rather than standing waiting for staff to say “what do you want?””. Similarly, the circulation space appeared to be a place where the children felt comfortable. A bedtime routine had emerged in one house where staff read bedtime stories to the children in the long circulation space sitting on bean bags outside the children’s bedrooms. The Team Leader commented that “kids will sit with us, then drift off to their rooms” I think its comforting for the children, like having a proper family with parents just outside their bedroom door, close by. Again, the curved walls, neutral colours, high ceilings and natural light were felt to be contributing to this feeling of comfort and security.

Calmness - Both staff and visitors commented on the aura of calmness which was evident in both houses. This was attributed both to the design which instilled calmness within the children and also to the attention which had been paid to the noise reducing components built into the fabric of the building. Carpeted areas, high ceilings and insulation have been key to reducing the levels of noise experienced. The calming, neutral colour grey incorporated into the fabric finishes has ensured that visual stimulus is kept to a minimum. Negative adrenalin which builds up during times of stress can most effectively be dispersed by running water and fresh air. Children have access to outside areas which are within their own control and which can be entered even during inclement weather due to the design of the sheltered play areas. High level windows provide additional ventilation without the risk of children absconding…

(sources: Whitehurst T. (2006). The impact of building design on children with autistic spectrum disorders. Good Autism Practice, 7(1), pp. 31-38; http://files3.peopleperhour.com/uploads/portfolioItems/Portfolio-170162-Impact_of_building_design_Whitehurst_2006.pdf)