J.F.K. JR. High School is a public New York City
high school that welcomes students with
diverse neurological profiles, recognizing and
respecting the natural variation in how people
think, learn, and process information.
Their
student population includes individuals who
identify as neurodivergent, such as those with
cognitive delays, autism spectrum disorders
(ASD), multiple disabilities, and speech and
language delays.
We designed a new adaptive daily living
classroom to teach essential life skills to
neurodiverse individuals in a safe, accessible,
and supportive environment.
The kitchen, dining
area, bed area, and laundry station are tailored
to accommodate different abilities and learning
styles, with visual aids and step-by-step
guides. We aim to empower individuals to live
independently and improve their quality of life.
Throughout the process, we researched
neurodivergence, the role that sensory
processing plays in stimuli seeking and
avoidance, and ways to integrate elements of
the Autism Aspectss design criteria towards
designing neuro-inclusive spaces.
We also hosted a community engagement
session to better understand how to meet everyone’s need for flexibility and care.
