Master of Science / Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science / Raphael A. Yunk / Autism Spectrum Disorders, (ASD) are being diagnosed at an alarming rate. Students with
ASD face many challenges in educational environments and struggle to overcome daily
distractions. Students with ASD have variances in neuron connections that cause them to receive
and understand their environment differently than a student without special needs. In the
educational classrooms, fluorescent lighting is a significant source of extraneous stimuli that not
only a source of annoyance but can also trigger common symptoms of ASD. Fluorescent fixtures
economically provide an acceptable uniformity and quality of illumination, but also have
disadvantages that can aggravate symptoms in students with ASD. Ballasts are required for the
operation of fluorescent fixtures. These ballasts, especially if not replaced at the end of their usable
life, can generate an audible hum and cyclical flickering of light. Alternative light sources, such as
incandescent lamps and fixtures should be evaluated and installed not only in special needs
classrooms but standard group classrooms as well. Providing additional sources or quality sources
of light may help students with ASD focus on the information presented in the classroom.
Traditional classroom design needs to be re-evaluated to accommodate the needs of those students
with ASD to better provide a comfortable and less distracting learning environment.
It is difficult to establish rigid standards for lighting designs sensitive to individuals and
special needs occupants'. By understanding the symptoms of ASD and taking into account the
occupants needs lighting designers will be better able to design an environment that is both
comfortable and educational. This report will address the classroom environment and student
considerations in order to develop parameters and design practices that will assist new lighting
designers.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:KSU/oai:krex.k-state.edu:2097/6915 |
| Date | January 1900 |
| Creators | Long, Emily Ann |
| Publisher | Kansas State University |
| Source Sets | K-State Research Exchange |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Report |
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