Residential Arrangements and Environmental Conditions for Adults on the Spectrum

In the past decade there has been growing concern of how best to plan for individuals on the autism spectrum once they age out of the school system. One concern is determining what residential environments are best for adults living in the community. The movement towards community living is stymied in part by what is available, or unavailable, in communities. It is also frustrated by inadequate information of what type of residential arrangements and environmental conditions work best for individuals not typically addressed by conventional housing schemes.

To date there has not been a comprehensive review or synthesis of the environmental design research relevant to residential living environments of adults on the spectrum.  This presentation describes one such approach, drawing from fields of autism and of environmental design, and balancing three goals: (1) being comprehensive and inclusive without prematurely restricting parameters that might provide valuable insights and directions; (2) honing in on research and insight that demonstrate research integrity or “reflective practice”; and (3) ensuring relevancy to a spectrum population of adults. This comprehensive review led to development of ten design goals that can assist individuals on the spectrum and their support providers in identifying and targeting residential settings that best suit their needs and aspirations.  These goals, and the ways in which housing design can work to foster them, can also help public health and housing professionals in advancing policies and practices that ensure a range of residential developments conducive to this growing consumer group.