2026-09-22T03:40:18Zhttps://api.drum.lib.umd.edu/server/oai/request

oai:drum.lib.umd.edu:1903/309322023-10-10T07:47:54Zcom_1903_2266com_1903_1598com_1903_2col_1903_2797col_1903_3

Sachs, Naomi A Ada, Micaela Digital Repository at the University of Maryland University of Maryland (College Park, Md.) Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA) 2023-10-10T05:41:40Z 2023-10-10T05:41:40Z 2023 https://doi.org/10.13016/dspace/vglo-xipw http://hdl.handle.net/1903/30932 In 2023, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Prevalence rates have nearly doubled every decade since the CDC began tracking this data in 2000. When these children come of age and enter adulthood, they face new milestones and challenges such as working, living away from the family home, and navigating the world with more autonomy. Design professions —including architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture— have progressively incorporated considerations for ASD into their spaces. Adult-specific, autism-friendly design guidelines existing today have honed in on improving workplace, home, and therapeutic environments. There is a noticeable gap in addressing landscapes made for the social and leisure aspects of life. To address this gap, this research design thesis focuses on implementing design interventions in Landover, MD’s Palmer Park Community Center outdoors space to create an autism-friendly space for adults seeking comfortable recreation opportunities. en A Place in Public Space: Designing an Autism-Friendly Experience for Adults in Palmer Park Thesis Landscape architecture open.access