Inclusive educational environment for children with autism in Malaysia primary schools: addressing the issue of way finding

Rahaman, Farjana and Abdul Rahim, Asiah and Abdullah, Fadzidah (2018) Inclusive educational environment for children with autism in Malaysia primary schools: addressing the issue of way finding. IIUM Press, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. ISBN 978-967-418-654-8 (In Press)

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Abstract

Inclusion of children with autism in the mainstream school falls under a regulation in Malaysia. However, existing school buildings still lack in providing enabling environment for children with autism. Moreover, current building standards and policies fail to address the wayfinding design requirements of these children in mainstream educational settings. The present research implies that wayfinding performance of children with autism can be improved by providing an appropriate environment design. This research employs both qualitative and quantitative research methods based on environment and behavior studies. Objectives of this study are (1) to identify different architectural elements that impact on the wayfinding of children with autism and able bodied children, (2) to investigate the existing condition of the primary school buildings in Malaysia in terms of inclusive wayfinding design and finally (3) to suggest a model as a set of tools for design practice that would ensure an appropriate and inclusive learning environment for children with autism, in the context of Malaysia. This research is conducted in five stages. First, through a rigorous literature review on autism and architecture for autism, five design aspects for an enabling environment for autism are identified. At the second stage, based on existing knowledge on wayfinding and school design, twenty wayfinding design parameters are developed that are directly related to these design aspects for an enabling environment for autism. In the third stage, three evaluation tools; Wayfinding Design Parameter Rating Scale (WDPRS), Environmental Assessment (EA) and Performance measure for Children (PMC) are developed and methodology is designed. In the fourth stage, previously identified twenty wayfinding design parameters are further evaluated by the teachers and experts for their relevance using WDPRS. Then an empirical study is carried out in both special and inclusive schools to investigate the performance of children (PMC) in the presence of the twenty wayfinding design parameters as environmental assessment (EA). Finally, based on the findings, design model with a set off tools for wayfinding in inclusive educational spaces is developed to aid the architects and designers

Item Type:	Book
Additional Information:	3061/68160
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Inclusive Design; Universal Design; Autistic Children; Children with Disability; Way Finding; Friendly Environment; Built Environment
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare L Education > LC Special aspects of education N Fine Arts > NA Architecture N Fine Arts > NA Architecture > NA2545.A1 Architecture and people with disabilities
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design > Department of Architecture
Depositing User:	Dr Fadzidah Abdullah
Date Deposited:	24 Dec 2018 09:04
Last Modified:	01 Jul 2021 20:17
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/68160

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