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By: Swarnima Verma and Dr. Deepti Pande Rana.
1. Student, Department of Architecture and Planning, Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
2. Associate Professor, Department of Architecture and Planning, Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
This dissertation examines the role of sensory play interiors in fostering learning, engagement, and overall well-being among children with diverse sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other developmental disabilities. Sensory play is recognized as a vital component of cognitive, emotional, and physical development, offering children opportunities to explore, self-regulate, and develop essential motor, social, and communication skills. Children with special needs often encounter challenges in interacting with their environment and thoughtfully designed sensory play spaces can mitigate these difficulties while fostering independence, confidence, and creativity. The study focuses on principles of sensory-friendly and inclusive design, emphasizing the integration of elements, such as texture, color, lighting, acoustics, spatial layout, and interactive features, to create environments that engage multiple senses simultaneously. Adaptive furniture, modular structures, and flexible layouts are highlighted as strategies for accommodating varying sensory needs and enabling both structured and unstructured play experiences. Through a combination of literature review, case studies, and user-centered design analysis, the research identifies best practices and innovative strategies for designing sensory play interiors. The findings demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of these spaces, including stress reduction, emotional regulation, cognitive stimulation, and improved social interaction. This dissertation provides practical guidelines for architects, interior designers, educators, and therapists to create inclusive, engaging, and safe sensory play environments. By integrating sensory design principles into educational and recreational spaces, the study emphasizes the potential to enhance developmental outcomes, learning engagement, and overall quality of life for children with special needs, advocating for environments that are both functional and enriching.
Keywords: Sensory play, special needs, interior design, autism, multisensory environments, inclusive design
Citation:
Refrences:
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