CENTER FOR NEURODIVERSITY: Autism Awareness Diagnosis Rehab and Research

Abstract

The lack of sufficient diagnosis, research and architecture for neurodivergent people pose a major issue for them to integrate themselves into society, especially in the context of third world countries such as Pakistan. May it be public or private spaces, research suggests that neurodivergent people have behavioral difficulties while dealing with situations that may be normal for most people. This is due to the intrinsic differences in their neurological development which are exhibited in their day-to-day behaviors. Center for Neurodiversity is a healthcare facility that aims to bridge the gaps of awareness, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and research in the domain of autism in Islamabad and its vicinities. This center has a multisensory immersive design language that informs the general public of high and low stimulating sensory experiences, similar to what autistic people may experience, through spatial and aesthetic design. Furthermore, the multisensory immersive design contributes to the diagnostic facility and rehabilitation-therapy facility in their respective sensory needs. A research facility is also provided for theoretical and practical research and analysis. The center aims to create a sufficient self-awareness opportunity for neurodivergent people so that they are able to self-regulate in various distressful scenarios. The methodologies for this research-based thesis project include qualitative analysis of the current diagnosis of autism and how architecture can contribute to it through sensory design language. Moreover, surveys have been conducted to acquire information about the existing diagnosis, therapy and educational facilities available for autism. Case studies have also been studied to encompass what has already been done successfully and what may have positive future prospects. Note that the aims of this thesis project entail to research that has already been done, especially in the first world countries, and that this domain will require further research, for any new such projects, due to limited knowledge of the DSM – 5. Relevant research is and on-going process.