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

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Christopher Beaver of London-based GA Architects did raise an unintended problem with having more segregated environments catering for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders:

…But where do we draw the line between environments that prepare the individual for the outside world and the protected environment of the purpose designed building? …I do see a dilemma for organisations that seek to provide the ideal autism-friendly building for their children (or adults) who then go out into the world only to find that it is a noisy and confusing place with many dangers for which they are not prepared…

Christopher N. Henry, an Autism Design Specialist, breaks the division down between ‘neuro-typical’ environments and the sensory sensitive approach. ‘Neuro-typical’ environments can prepare the Autistic individual for the outside world by potentially helping such an individual develop generalisation skills, which are often poor in Autism…

… Laura Klinger and Geraldine Dawson’s research, at the University of Washington Autism Center, demonstrates that children with autism struggle applying previously learned concepts in new situations. For instance, if an individual learns how to use the bathroom in one particular setting s/he may not generalize this skill set to other bathroom settings…

One example of a design which had generalisation in mind, is that of USA Architects’ 168,000 square foot concept for Morris-Union Jointure Commission’s (MUJC) Developmental Learning Center (DLC) in Warren, New Jersey. The school, for 250 students from 3 to 21 years old, employs the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and its various methodologies and provides for the special needs of students with Autism and related disorders…

…The concept of the design is derived from the idea that teaching the students’ life skills in a ‘real-life’ monitored setting from a very young age develops independence and self worth, thus making their transition to the world outside the facility far less intimidating and more productive. ‘Mainstreet,’ a 30-foot wide, sky-lit, central walkway is envisioned as the heart and soul of the facility. Along this path students see what is typically common on real main streets - storefronts (complete with awnings) that contain a working bank, supermarket, barber shop and home improvement center. It’s from these Learning Labs where students receive hands-on training for everyday life skills. For example, they learn to stack, count inventory, use a cash register learn the monetary system and learn computer skills. Other Learning Labs include a working greenhouse, Laundromat, arts/craft center, as well as food, merchandising and manufacturing labs. A replication of a fully functioning apartment is available for the students to learn about personal care and maintaining a home. Another distinctive feature is the inclusion of a diner as opposed to a traditional cafeteria. The stylised 1950’s diner includes checkerboard finishes, high-back red booths, and a ‘drugstore’ style counter. The whimsical design helps aid social skills. The facility also contains an 8,680 square foot gymnasium with an elevated indoor track and a fully equipped health and fitness center with weights and cardio equipment. There are two pools in the facility; a competition pool and a zero entry pool. The zero entry pool is [Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)] compliant, and is designed with therapeutic water features for the students’ sensory exploration. Both pools are temperature controlled…

Some pictures of the unique, specialised learning centre can be viewed via the following links:
Architects | USA Architects | Elements | Developmental Learning Center Warren Overview, School Designer
Architects | USA Architects | Elements | DLC Diner element 1, School Designer
Architects | USA Architects | Elements | DLC Pool element 2, School Designer
Architects | USA Architects | Elements | Diner, School Designer
Architects | USA Architects | Elements | MRESC Center for Lifelong Learning Overview, School Designer
Architects | USA Architects | Elements | CLL Pods element 2, School Designer
Architects | USA Architects | Elements | CLL Aquatic Center element 1, School Designer

As can be seen from the above links, while the focus has been on creating a ‘neuro-typical environment’ with generalisation in mind, measures have been taken to cater to sensory sensitive Autistic individuals. Indeed there is no reason why the approaches cannot co-exist …

(sources: http://www.ga-architects.com/wp-content/plugins/download-monitor/download.php?id=4; Designing for Autism: The ‘Neuro-Typical’ Approach | ArchDaily; Education Design Showcase Project)