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Neurodiversity impacts a large population. The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion research suggests that up to 15-20% of the U.S. population is neurodivergent, while one source discovers that only 50% of people are aware that they are neurodivergent. Because of this and with the expansion of brain science and understanding, people are learning more ways to identify and support a variety of mental health conditions and learning disabilities. The 2024 BOMA Annual Conference for instance featured the session, “Designing for Neurodiversity by Promoting Inclusion,” which described how office spaces and office design can consider the needs of neurodiverse individuals. Led by speakers Rebecca Frenning, Director of Interior Design & Principal and Roslyn zumBrunnen, Director of Workplace Design of Pope Design Group, they shared their insights for how to support a variety of workspaces and the best design tactics for improving workplace flow, creativity and focus. Read below to learn more about Rebecca and Roslyn’s insights for optimizing inclusion:
Designing With Sensory Sensitivities in Mind
“When designing, it’s important to think about the human experience and comfort like the five senses,” Rebecca says. In Rebecca and Roslyn’s annual conference presentation, “Designing for Neurodiversity by Promoting Inclusion,” they touched on physical, sensory, cognitive and spatial senses when it relates to neurodivergent individuals. Below is an overview of these senses and how design can help achieve this inclusion:
- Physical senses relates to mobility (such as softening the curves of countertops and expanding hallways for those in wheelchairs).
- Sensory senses relates to the auditory, tactile and olfactory elements (which is where white noise or biophilia comes in).
- Cognitive senses relate to communication, learning and attention (which is where online communication can help or opportunities for alternative seating may help as well).
- Spatial senses relates to lighting, color and patterns (such as softening harsh lighting or choosing calming paint colors for office spaces).
“Every individual has a different learning style and way that they engage and absorb information,” Roslyn says, when considering the different needs for neurodivergent individuals. For example, a couple of common challenges that neurodivergent people experience are the effects of distractions on their ability to focus and sensory sensitivities for sounds, sights and smells. This is what leads to the significance of designing with intention.
Rebecca and Roslyn shared the types of designs they created with Pope Design Group. “The Lifeworks space we designed features 42” wide doorways with automatic openers on primary rooms to support ease of movement,” Rebecca says. This is significant when considering wheelchair access. Roslyn agreed: “It’s important to design a barrier-free environment that honors ADA like expanding the hallways for wheelchair mobility and ease and adding handrails. Also, lowering countertop heights and tables with rounded edges enhances accessibility for spaces. This ease of movement, like more spacious circulation of the area and providing clear visual and physical paths is helpful.”
Within the active zone areas themselves, the spaces are all outfitted with accessible technology and acoustic elements for sound absorption. In addition, Rebecca shared the importance in “restraining in terms of use of color and materials” so it’s not an overstimulating space, but rather creates more of a calming atmosphere.
Designing With Variety in Mind
Among the case studies presented by Pope Design Group, the main theme of their designs for space is variety. A variety of areas like individual focus spaces, enclosed collaboration zones and wellness quiet spaces are essential for serving a little bit of everything for everybody. “It’s not just the space – it's about finding a different posture,” Rebecca says. “If some find sitting across the table from someone uncomfortable, arranging seating where instead of the typical boardroom style seating, you arrange individual seating (like a chair or stool) around the perimeter of the room – in case someone doesn’t want to feel stuck being in the center of attention.”
“Consistency for knowing where to sit is really important to reduce anxiety,” Roslyn says. One of the ways to maximize these workspaces is by providing distraction-free zones while balancing stimulating community zones. One of the ways that Rebecca and Roslyn suggest companies do this is by incorporating “moveable walls” or furniture that can be easily arranged to create a free-flowing layout. “Variety matters,” Roslyn says. “The ability to change a space to suit your needs is integral, especially for an individual that may be introverted and may have a hard time communicating in a group environment.”
Overall, Rebecca and Roslyn share the importance in understanding that every individual may have a different communication style and it’s important to celebrate these differences. For instance, a neurotypical individual may be uncomfortable verbalizing their thoughts in person – so the optionality of communicating online or typing may promote this seamless connection.
In terms of the design of the workspaces themselves, they have a variety of suggestions:
- Lighting alternatives: Consider soothing elements and reduce the harshness of fluorescence.
- Focus nooks: Assign at least a few areas where individuals can shut off noise and concentrate on work.
- Outdoor space: Studies have demonstrated the many health benefits of spending time outdoors. Rebecca and Roslyn suggest that workspaces allow outdoor access when available.
- Biophilia: Studies have also demonstrated the health benefits of indoor plants on health. Rebecca and Roslyn touched on this idea in their presentation, as greenery is proven to reduce anxiety.
Recognizing the Strengths of Neurodivergent Individuals
“I have a daughter with ADHD inattentive,” Roslyn says. “With my experience with her, it’s helped expand my knowledge to the workplace and especially in observing how teams interact. Every individual has a different learning style and way that they engage and absorb information. And when thinking about neurodiversity, it’s important to focus on their strengths and all their talents that they have to offer.” On the topic of the strengths that neurodivergent individuals possess, Rebecca and Roslyn shared the following strengths below in their presentation:
- Creativity.
- Keen accuracy.
- Concentration.
- Strong recall of information.
- Reliability and persistence.
- Authenticity.
- Problem-solving.
- Innovation.
- Technicality.
This is an important reminder for teams, not only when considering the impactful ways to design with intention, but also how to create a more connected and seamless workplace.
“You can support all people by providing accommodations and areas of respite and resources,” says Rebecca.
“We can design a beautiful space and give you all the tools, but we as a community and as a group need to support each other,” Roslyn says.