Login
       
  • Design and wellbeing: Bridging the empathy gap between neurotypical designers and autistic adults

Gaudion, Katie, Hall, Ashley, Myerson, Jeremy and Pellicano, Liz, 2014, Book Section, Design and wellbeing: Bridging the empathy gap between neurotypical designers and autistic adults Proceedings of the Conference 'Design for Sustainable Well-being and Empowerment' DfWnE-2014. Delft University of Technology, Indian Institute of Science, pp. 61-77. ISBN 978-93-392-1970-3

Abstract or Description:

This paper is focused on the wellbeing of people with autism spectrum disorders, who are often excluded from design research. Drawing upon on-going design research collaboration between The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design and the autism charity The Kingwood Trust, this paper reflects upon a neurotypical (i.e. not on the autism spectrum) designer’s experience of working with adults with autism who have limited verbal speech and additional learning disabilities. The hypothesis under investigation is that, by interacting with and observing a person in conjunction with his or her physical environment, the designer can unravel clues and insights to develop empathy and better understanding of a person with autism’s everyday experiences, which can thereby inform empathic designs that enhance and sustain a state of wellbeing. The conclusion explores how the inclusion of autistic people within the design process creates a shared experience, which helps to develop trust and empathy between the designer and the person with autism, enabling the designer to understand and appreciate different ways of being in the world.

Official URL: http://www.designforwellbeing.nl
Subjects: Creative Arts and Design > W200 Design studies > W240 Industrial/Product Design
School or Centre: School of Design
Date Deposited: 10 Jan 2016 13:35
Last Modified: 09 Nov 2018 14:27
URI: https://researchonline.rca.ac.uk/id/eprint/1715
Edit Item (login required) Edit Item (login required)