Visual-Sensory-Based Quiet Room for Reducing Maladaptive Behavior and Emotion in Autistic Individuals: A Review

Abstract

— This paper proposes the idea of optimizing visual sensory comfort in a quiet room for autistic users. Previous studies had proved that most individuals with autism spectrum disorder have unique sensory sensitivity and may perceive sensory stimulation differently. Maladaptive behavior and emotion are often shown by autistic individuals due to sensory discomfort, which leads them to have more difficulties in daily activities. This paper argues that visual-sensory-based design intervention for a quiet room has the potential to reduce maladaptive behavior and emotion in individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. The design interventions were developed by reviewing several studies about visual comfort in general, visual comfort for autistic users, and the quiet room itself. This review emphasized three aspects of strategies for an effective visual-sensory-based quiet room; (1) accommodating the most possible visual comfort for autistic users, (2) providing the calming function of the quiet room itself, and (3) ensuring safety by minimizing physical hazard in the room. A list of visual-sensory-based intervention strategies for autistic users is provided as a result. The strategies are not only focused on visual comfort for autistic users, but also the functionality and security factors of the quiet room. As a conclusion, adjusting a quiet room with visual-sensory-based design intervention is expected to be able to help autistic users in releasing the occurring maladaptive behavior and emotion, especially while they are in a stressful environment such as school or other crowded public space. Moreover, reduced disturbing behavior and emotion may give individuals with autism spectrum disorder more opportunity to live and grow to their maximum potential.