"Mum it's too noisy. Mum it's too bright. Mum I didn't want that colour. Mum it's itchy. Mum I can't find it. These are all daily refrains that have peppered my home life for as long as I can remember. Once I knew the cause, understanding the complaints and preventing them became far easier. But if designing a home with neurodiversity in mind is new to you, it may feel like an insurmountable challenge - particularly when neurodiversity covers a wide range of different conditions. It means that what works for someone with ADHD for example, might not work for someone with autism."
"Although awareness of the need to consider neurodiversity in design is far greater than ever before, it wasn't until 2022 that British Standards guidelines were put in place in the form of PAS 6463:2022 Design for the mind - Neurodiversity and the built environment. The guidelines within apply both to buildings and external spaces for public and commercial use, and to residential accommodation for independent or supported living. While they don't directly include reference to private individual homes, some of the advice in there is of course still relevant."
Daily sensory and practical complaints often indicate neurodiverse needs that can be understood and prevented through design. Designing homes for neurodiversity is challenging because needs vary across conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyspraxia and dyslexia. The 2022 British Standard PAS 6463:2022 provides guidelines for design of the mind covering public, commercial and supported residential spaces, with many recommendations applicable to private homes. Navigating the built environment differs for neurodiverse people. No single design solution fits everyone. Designing with sensory flexibility, visual control, predictability and personalised options can improve calmness, practicality and overall comfort.
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