HIGH POINT, N.C. — For generations, autism and other cognitive disorders have largely been neglected when it comes to interior design, but that’s gradually beginning to change.

“Historically, design has very much been geared around aesthetics and making homes beautiful,” says Jane Dagmi, managing director of High Point by Design, or HPxD, a nonprofit organization working to make High Point a year-round destination for the design industry.

“But it’s also important to look at how the home functions for whoever is living there. How does the home feel? You want that feeling to be good, to be harmonious.”

That’s easier said than done, however, when there’s a person with autism living under your roof. Individuals on the autism spectrum may be sensitive to certain colors, certain types of lighting, aggravating sounds — a noisy dishwasher, for example — and/or visual clutter that most people wouldn’t think twice about.

Inspired by this dilemma — and by High Point’s designation in 2023 as a Certified Autism Destination — Dagmi and HPxD recently hosted Design Forward, a two-day conference on how to create environments that accommodate different sensory sensitivities and make design more inclusive.

“High Point is becoming a hub to holistically serve families through hospitality and now inclusive design,” says Melody Burnett, president of Visit High Point, which spearheaded the city’s efforts to become a Certified Autism Destination. “So it’s exciting when organizations in the city create a deeper connection — like HPxD is doing by bringing design experts in — that resonates with High Point and this relevant segment of the community.”

The conference was divided into three sessions, each tailored for a specific audience — interior design and home furnishings professionals, real-estate agents, and the greater community of parents, teachers and business leaders.

“I’m really proud of what High Point is doing,” says Shelly Rosenberg, a conference speaker from Aspen, Colo., whose Acorn & Oak design firm specializes in creating environments that are sensitive to the needs of individuals with autism and other cognitive disabilities. “They’re forward thinkers. They’re pioneering the paradigm of equity and equality. They’re definitely ahead of the curve, and I came away from the conference feeling inspired.”

Inclusive design hits especially close to home for Rosenberg, whose three children all have various learning differences, including a son with Down syndrome. The other four conference speakers also are either parents or guardians of someone diagnosed with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

“I think this is a conversation that needs to happen in this industry,” says autism home specialist Natalie Castro of Salt Lake City, another conference speaker. “I think there is a market for what I do, but there needs to be more awareness, and I feel like that’s coming.”

Castro, who formerly operated a pediatric therapy office in Florida, is a guardian for her sister with autism, Angie. When her family moved from Florida to Utah, the experience inspired her to tailor her consulting services for families with a family member with autism.

“I experienced firsthand the challenges of relocating with a loved one on the autism spectrum,” Castro says. “During this transition, I realized there was a significant gap in the real estate industry — one that failed to address the unique needs of autism families when moving from home to home.”

When helping an autism family find a home, Castro looks at five categories — the physical location of the house, the interior layout, the availability and proximity of community resources, safety and the life stage of the family.

“It’s so important to follow these five categories — they’re going to determine the next five to seven years of that autistic child’s needs,” she says.

While Castro consults with families, she points out that she’s not a designer. Rosenberg, however, is a designer, and her goal is to make the home as comfortable as possible for a child with autism.

“I look at safety concerns first,” Rosenberg says. “Then we look at behaviors and try to figure out what behaviors are triggered by what stimulus. Are there noises in the home that are aggravating? What is the light like? The air quality? Textures? Some of these kids are nonspeaking, so it’s important to do a little investigating to figure out what might be bothering them. Some are sensory-avoiders, and some are sensory-seekers.”

The following are a few tips — from Castro, Rosenberg and other online resources — for creating an autism-friendly home:

• Use soft, natural lighting, with dimming options if available. Avoid harsh fluorescent lights, and try to minimize glare.
• Choose soft, soothing textures for furniture and decor.
• Create a quiet zone for your child, using soundproofing techniques to minimize noise.
• Store toys and other items out of the way to create a visually clutter-free environment.
• Because children with autism often wander, install secure door and window locks. A gate at the top of the stairs is another good safety precaution.
• Consider interactive elements such as sensory walls or swings to encourage sensory input.
• Use soft, subdued colors, incorporating the child’s favorite colors if possible.
• Natural elements, such as low-maintenance houseplants, can have a calming influence on your child. So can the use of a diffuser

“Remember, it’s not about the space as much as it is the child,” Castro says. “That’s what’s important.”

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