An Exploratory Study Testing Environmental Wayfinding Aids as an Intervention for Children With Autism

Area of Science:

• Developmental psychology
• Environmental psychology
• Autism spectrum disorder research

Background:

• Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face challenges with environmental navigation.
• These navigation difficulties are particularly pronounced in complex settings such as healthcare facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of wayfinding aids as an intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• To determine if visual cues can enhance independence in navigation for children with ASD.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory mixed-methods study involving 9 children with ASD aged 8-11, randomly assigned to control or treatment groups.
• Participants navigated an unfamiliar corridor, with the treatment group receiving wayfinding aids (colored doors, floor shapes, signage) and the control group receiving standard cues.
• Data collected through observation, behavioral mapping, and interviews.

Main Results:

• All participants successfully navigated with wayfinding scripts, but the treatment group achieved direct navigation more frequently (100%) than the control group (75%).
• Wayfinding aids enhanced environmental memorability for children with ASD in the treatment group.
• Environmental stimuli sometimes acted as distractors, while other novel elements aided navigation.

Conclusions:

• Wayfinding instruction, with or without aids, shows promise as an intervention to improve navigation for children with ASD.
• Further research is recommended in diverse environments to validate these findings.
• Challenges in participant recruitment and random assignment were noted.