LARC 493F/693A

Designing Healthy Places

Professor Wasserman

Research Project Proposal

Your Name: Isabella Tinnell

Name of Research Proposal: Integrating Resilient Sensory Friendly Design into Family and Home Life of Individuals with Adults with Autism and Epilepsy

Summary of Topic (a few sentences):

A lot of family members of individuals with autism and epilepsy have a difficult time finding appropriate furniture and decor that is durable, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.

How Does this Topic Relate to DESIGN of HEALTHY PLACES?

This is a health related issue that has opportunity to be improved through intelligent design.

Hypothesis: Hypothesis - family members of individuals with autism and epilepsy need to increase access to high-quality, safe, and attractive options for their homes to improve the mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing of everyone in the household.

Research Methodology: Clear step by step process.

Literature Review, Quantitative Research on Statistics of Autistic and Epileptic populations, Qualitative, maybe interviews but also, I have years of experience with the topic since I have witnessed most of these complications firsthand. In a way you could say that this in phenomenological research because the statistics of people who are adults/ reaching adulthood with autism and epilepsy are reaching numbers that in our written history has never been seen before.

One page Outline of Proposed Project:

Introduction:

Methodology:

Challenges:

Hypersensitivity

· Sound

i. Vacuums

ii. Car horns

iii. Hum of appliances

iv. Human voices

· Visual

i. Bright colors

ii. Patterns

iii. Intense artificial loud

· Smell

i. Perfumes

ii. Food

iii. Odors from furniture and carpet

Hyposensitivity:

· Sound

i. Loud music

ii. Banging on surfaces

· Visual

i. Clutter and disorder

· Smell

i. Unaware of personal odor

ii. Strong smells and flavors

Seizure Safety

· Falls

· Water Safety

Design Goals:

· Ensure Safety & Security

· Maximize Familiarity, Stability, and Clarity

· Reduce sensory overload

· Control of social interaction and privacy

· Optimize Independence

· Promote Health and Wellness

· Enhance Dignity

· Affordability

· Accessibility and Neighborhood Support

Design Elements Taken into Consideration:

· Neighborhood, Community, Attempt to keep induvial with family

· Floor Plans

· Technology

· Ventilation

· Materials

· Acoustics

· Appliances and Fixtures

· Visual Cues

· Sustainability

Bibliography (at least 5 scholarly sources):

The social model. (n.d.). Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://ukdhm.org/what-is-ukdhm/the-social-model/

The social model of disability. (2019, October 16). Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://www.inclusionlondon.org.uk/disability-in-london/social-model/the-social-model-of-disability-and-the-cultural-model-of-deafness/

The Geographical Distribution and Correlates of Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors in an Urban Region - Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Multiple-linear-regression-of-clothing-household-energy-and-produce-related_tbl2_332639733 [accessed 9 Mar, 2021]

Volkmar, F. R. (2013). Encyclopedia of autism spectrum disorders (Ser. Springer reference). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3

Gacula, M. C. (2008). Design and analysis of sensory optimization (Ser. Harvard educational review). John Wiley & Sons. INSERT-MISSING-URL.

Lawless, H. T. (2014). Quantitative sensory analysis : psychophysics, models and intelligent design. Wiley Blackwell. INSERT-MISSING-URL.

For Graduate Students Only:

Scholarly Journal your Research Paper could be submitted:

Research in Developmental Disabilities

Guidelines for Submissions to this Journal:

https://www.elsevier.com/journals/research-in-developmental-disabilities/0891-4222/guide-for-authors