Jasmine Afaily-Zadeh’s research interests focus on the positive mental health impacts of time spent in nature, an area that is currently growing in its research base and application. In this article, she explores the relevance of research for autistic adults and children. 

What are the benefits of being in nature? 

Reviewing what is available in terms of research, a 2021 paper examined the benefits and caveats to nature exposure for autistic children. Benefits included improved outcomes in terms of motor-sensory input, emotional regulation in the context of restoration, and social inclusion benefits – something that has been supported by wider research showing nature contact increases pro-sociality (Passmore and Holder, 2017; Gueguen and Stefan, 2014). Barriers included the challenges presented by accessing community environments that may be overstimulating for some children and associated behaviours of concern (BoC) in the form of non-pro-social behaviour due to higher proximity to others, any BoC linked to specific phobias and unexpected noises due to being in a public space; as well as concerns over trip and fall hazards due to proprioceptive, or sensory-motor function deficits. (Li et al, 2019).  

How could these benefits apply to the workplace?

A recent study examined this in more depth, from the perspective of workplace design and cohesion, aiming to ensure inclusion for adults entering the workplace who may have or be in the process of gaining an autism diagnosis. What was particularly interesting about this piece of research is that it both makes recommendations across settings – such as schools, universities and residential placements – but it is also inclusive and holistic in its consideration of the impact of sensory issues on the recommendations they made, answering some of the questions posed in the 2019 study discussed above.  

Examples studied included the presence of vegetation and greenness as a beneficial aspect of design, with the caveat it was non-fragrant to prevent the experience from being aversive, also concluding that natural vegetation can be a helpful way of separating distinct environments (Zwilling and Levy, 2022).  

This sheds some much needed light on the specific role greenness and naturalness can play in promoting wellbeing for autistic people. This is in conjunction with the already well-documented positive impacts on emotional and physiological expressions of stress and mental ill-being through reduction in blood pressure, cortisol levels, increase in positive emotions, and pro-social feelings to name but a few (Browning, Lee and Wolf, 2019; Triguero-Mas et al, 2015; Stigsdotter et al, 2017).  

Conclusion 

It is heartening to see that as the interest in intersectionality between ecological concerns and human health and wellbeing develops, this is also being reflected in the diversification and advocacy for neurodivergent groups, including autistic people. As practitioners and clinicians, we are always keen to see our clients in a holistic way, and there is still a lot we can do to improve the fit between the environment and our clients’ needs, whilst upholding the universal values we champion for people and place.  

Article Sources/References:

Browning, M. H., Lee, K. and Wolf, K. L. (2019). Tree cover shows an inverse relationship with depressive symptoms in elderly residents living in US nursing homes. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 41, pp23-32

Gueguen, N. and Stefan, J. (2014). ''Green Altruism'': Short Immersion in Natural Green Environments and Helping Behavior. Environment and Behavior, 48(2). https:doi.org/10.1177/0013916514536576 

Li, D., Larsen, L., Yang, Y., Wang, L., Zhai, Y., & Sullivan, W. C. (2019). Exposure to nature for children with autism spectrum disorder: Benefits, caveats, and barriers. Health & Place, 55, 71-79 

Passmore, H. A. and Holder, M. D. (2017). Noticing nature: Individual and social benefits of a two-week intervention. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12(6), pp537-546 

Stigsdotter, U. K. et al (2017). It is not all bad for the grey city – A crossover study on physiological and psychological restoration in a forest and an urban environment. Health & Place, 46, pp145-154 

Triguero-Mas, M. et al (2015). Natural outdoor environments and mental and physical health: relationships and mechanisms. Environment International, 77, pp35-41 

Zwilling M and Levy B. R. (2022). How Well Environmental Design Is and Can Be Suited to People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Natural Language Processing Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095037