Abstract
Loose parts are ambiguous and open-ended materials that provide endless possibilities in children’s play. Loose parts foster creative and dramatic play which in turn stimulates the development of children’s social, emotional and cognitive skills. In this paper we explore the potential value of loose parts for children with autism because their development of said skills tends to either not happen or at a very low pace. We describe the effects of a lagging Theory of Mind and Sensory Integration Disorder, which are both often associated with autistic spectrum disorders. This brings the diverse and complex nature of these disorders to light, virtually excluding universal design guidelines. However, several concrete design implications and opportunities are suggested. Our next steps entail engaging with autistic children in their context and trying out tailor made loose parts.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the Tenth International Conference on Design and Emotion - Celebration & Contemplation |
| Editors | P.M.A. Desmet, S.F. Fokkinga, G.D.S. Ludden, N. Cila, H. Van Zuthem |
| Place of Publication | Amsterdam |
| Publisher | The Design & Emotion Society |
| Pages | 608-611 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-94-6186-725-4 |
| Publication status | Published - 2016 |
| Event | The 10th International Conference on Design and Emotion - Celebration & Contemplation: D&E 2016 - Amsterdam, Netherlands Duration: 27 Sept 2016 → 30 Sept 2016 |
Conference
| Conference | The 10th International Conference on Design and Emotion - Celebration & Contemplation |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Netherlands |
| City | Amsterdam |
| Period | 27/09/16 → 30/09/16 |
Keywords
- Autism
- Design for play
- Inclusive design
- Child development
- Sensory integration disorder