title: Noise and autism spectrum disorder in children: An exploratory survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With more students being educated in schools for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than ever before, architects and interior designers need to consider the environmental features that may be modified to enhance the academic and social success of autistic students in school.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explored existing empirical research on the impact of noise on children with ASD and provides recommendations regarding design features that can contribute to noise reduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey, which addressed the impact of architectural design elements on autism-related behavior, was developed for teachers of children with ASD and distributed to three schools.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most teachers found noise control to be an important issue for students with autism and many observed children using ear defenders. In terms of managing issues related to noise, most teachers agreed that thick or soundproof walls and carpet in the classroom were the most important issues for children with ASD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suggested future research should address architectural considerations for building an acoustically friendly environment for children with autism, identifying patterns of problematic behaviors in response to acoustical features of the built environment of the classroom setting, and ways to manage maladaptive behaviors in acoustically unfriendly environments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Consumer Science, College of Applied Technology, Ball State University, Applied Technology Building 206, Muncie, IN, 47306, United States. Electronic address: smkanakri@bsu.edu.
authors.forename: Shireen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kanakri
authors.affiliation: Department of Design and Environmental Analysis, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, 3429 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States.
authors.forename: Mardelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shepley
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, College of Architecture, 3137 TAMU, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, United States.
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Varni
authors.affiliation: Department of Visualization, College of Architecture, Langford Center, 3137 TAMU C108, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77840, United States.
authors.forename: Louis G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Tassinary
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000162:Acoustics; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder; D004779:Environment Design; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D009622:Noise; D000070777:School Teachers; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas
keywords: ASD; Acoustics; Autism; Built environment; Classroom; Noise