Abstract
Playgrounds are crucial spaces where children can develop within their formative years. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) require additional support that caters to their sensory and social needs. A systematic literature review identified design characteristics to transform a play space into an environment where physical, social, and personal growth for children of varying abilities is encouraged. To model these recommendations, an examination of a playground was conducted with suggestions adapted to develop an accessible play environment. Results showed that there is a need for outdoor play spaces that engage children in building and maintaining relationships with peers. Providing equitable access to play allows people to come together due to a shared need for connectivity.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ADA. (2010). Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq. (1990). https://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm
Badgett, A., (2020). Playing on the spectrum: Exploring how to create playgrounds more accessible for children with autism spectrum disorder. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022). Prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years — autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2018. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/ss/ss7011a1.htm
Cosbey, J., Johnston, S. S., Dunn, M. L., & Bauman, M. (2011). Playground behaviors of children with and without sensory processing disorders. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 32(2), 39–47. https://doi.org/10.3928/15394492-20110930-01
Dalprà, M. (2020). Inclusive playgrounds: A reality or a utopia in our cities? Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 14, 635–643.
Doak, L. (2020). Realising the ‘right to play’ in the special school playground. International Journal of Play, 9(4), 414–438. https://doi.org/10.1080/21594937.2020.1843805
Fernelius, C. L., & Christensen, K. M. (2017). Systematic review of evidence-based practices for inclusive playground design. Children, Youth and Environments, 27(3), 78–102. https://doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.27.3.0078
Gaines, K., Bourne, A., Pearson, M., & Kleibrink, M. (2016). Designing for autism spectrum disorders. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
Grego, A. (2017). Sensory development playgrounds for parks, schools. Parks and Recreation, Supplement Field Guide - Supplier and Resource Directory, 8.
Grinde, B., & Patil, G. (2009). Biophilia: Does visual contact with nature impact on health and well-being? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 6(9), 2332–2343. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092332
Hatice, A., & Ipek, P. (2016). No “obstacles” in playgrounds that are not only accessible but also inclusive. International Journal of Architecture & Planning, 4(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.15320/ICONARP.2016120233
Hebert, B. (2002). Design guidelines of a therapeutic garden for autistic children. MLA thesis dissertation, Department of Landscape Architecture, Louisiana State University.
Kianfar, K., & Brischetto, A. (2021). All play together: Design concepts of a sensory play equipment aimed to an inclusive play experience. Advances in Industrial Design, 435–445. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80829-7_54
Kim, Y.-G., Kim, H., & Maeng, S. (2018). Characteristics of inclusive playground guidelines. Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture, 46(6), 75–84.
Li, D., Larsen, L., Yang, Y., Wang, L., Zhai, Y., & Sullivan, W. C. (2019). Exposure to nature for children with autism spectrum disorder: Benefits, caveats, and barriers. Health & Place, 55, 71–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.11.005
Magro, K. (2016). To the parents whose children love to line up their toys. Retrieved from http://kerrymagro.com/to-the-parents-who-child-with-autism-love-to-line-up-their-toys/
McAllister, K., & Sloan, S. (2017). Designed by the pupils, for the pupils: An autism-friendly school. British Journal of Special Education. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.12160
McLaughlin, L., Keim, S., & Adesman, A. (2018). Wandering by children with autism spectrum disorder: Key clinical factors and the role of schools and pediatricians. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 39(7), 538–546.
Miller, L. J., Schoen, S. A., Camarata, S. M., McConkey, J., Kanics, I. M., Valdez, A., & Hampton, S. (2017). Play in natural environments: A pilot study quantifying the behavior of children on playground equipment. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools & Early Intervention, 10(3), 213–231.
Millet, M. (2004). Developing children’s learning through outdoor play. Third Annual Conference, Advance Society. Circle of Inclusion, Cairo.
Mostafa, M. (2014). Architecture for autism: Autism ASPECTTS™ in school design. Archnet-International Journal of Architectural Research, 8(1), 143–158.
No author (2022). Medical conditions associated with autism. Autism Speaks. https://www.autismspeaks.org/medical-conditions-associated-autism
Page, M. J, McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., . . . Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. British Medical Journal, 372(71). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Prellwitz, M., & Skar, L. (2007). Usability of playgrounds for children with different abilities. Occupational Therapy International, 14(3), 144–155.
Schoen, S. A., Miller, L. J., & Hampton, S. (2014). Occupational therapy in natural settings: Using playgrounds. Sensory Integration Special Interest Section Quarterly, 37(3), 1–4.
Scott, I. (2009). Designing learning spaces for children on the autism spectrum. Good Autism Practice, 10(1), 36–51.
Selvam, S. (2018). Nature based playground. Design for Children with Autism. Virginia Tech.
Shapiro, M. (2006). A model for an adapted playground developed for all children. Israel Journal of Occupational Therapy, 15(4), E137–E147.
Stanton-Chapman, T., & Schmidt, E. (2019). Building playgrounds for children of all abilities: Legal requirements and professional recommendations. Early Childhood Education Journal, 47(5), 509–517. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-019-00947-3
Stanton-Chapman, T., & Schmidt, E. (2017). Creating an inclusive playground for children of all abilities: West Fork Playground in Cincinnati, Ohio. Children, Youth and Environments, 27(3), 124–137. https://doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.27.3.0124
Stanton-Chapman, T. L., & Schmidt, E. L. (2016). Special education professionals’ perceptions toward accessible playgrounds. Research & Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 41(2), 90–100. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540796916638499
Torppa, C. B. (2009). Autism, Asperger's syndrome, and nonverbal learning disorder: When does your child need professional help? Fact Sheet, Family and Consumer Sciences.
Vogel, C. L. (2008). Classroom design for living and learning with autism. Autism Asperger’s Digest, 7.
Wenger, I., Schulze, C., Lundstrom, U., & Prellwitz, M. (2021). Children’s perceptions of playing on inclusive playgrounds: A qualitative study. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 28(2), 136–146. https://doi.org/10.1080/11038128.2020.1810768
Williams, M., & Vouchilas, G. (2013). Residential design for families with children on the autism spectrum. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 105(3), 33–43. https://doi.org/10.14307/JFCS105.3.9
Williams, K. L., Edwards, K. M., Riley, L., Romeo, P. C., Venable, M., & O’Neill, A. (2019). A blueprint for sensory inclusive design of outdoor community play spaces. SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 4(1), 8–10.
Wu, Q., Yu, C., Chen, Y., Yao, J., Wu, X., Peng, X., & Han, T. (2020). Squeeze the ball: Designing an interactive playground towards aiding social activities of children with low-function autism. In R. Bernhaupt, F. Mueller, D. Verweij, J. Andres, J. McGrenere, & A. Cockburn (Eds.), CHI '20: Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (Article 3376888). https://doi.org/10.1145/3313831.3376888
Yuill, N., Strieth, S., Roake, C., Aspden, R., & Todd, B. (2007). Brief report: Designing a playground for children with autistic spectrum disorders––effects on playful peer interactions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(6), 1192–1196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0241-8
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
40489_2022_345_MOESM1_ESM.png
Supplementary file1 PRISMA flow diagram of study search and selection. Note: Page et al., 2021. For more information, visit: http://www.prisma-statement.org/ (PNG 236 KB)
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Harris, K., Rosinski, P., Wood-Nartker, J. et al. Developing Inclusive Playgrounds That Welcome All Children—Including Those with Autism. Rev J Autism Dev Disord (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-022-00345-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-022-00345-3