Understanding independent living with autism: The role of the housing environment in the experiences of two autistic men

Phuong Nguyen; Viviana d’Auria; Ann Heylighen

doi:10.6092/issn.2612-0496/10781

Authors

Phuong Nguyen 1. KU Leuven, Belgium 2. National University of Civil Engineering, Hanoi, Vietnam
Phuong Nguyen is an architect and a lecturer in architecture at Faculty of Architecture and Planning, National University of Civil Engineering (Vietnam). She is a PhD candidate in the Research[x]Design, a design-oriented research group at the Department of Architecture, KU Leuven (Belgium). Her PhD research project is about “Housing design which supports independent living for autistic people” in which she studies the relationships between the housing environments, the design practices and autistic residents’ lived experiences.
Viviana d’Auria KU Leuven

Viviana d’Auria is Associate Professor in International Urbanism at the Department of Architecture, KU Leuven (Belgium) and has been NWO Rubicon research fellow at the Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies, University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands). She teaches core courses at the Master of Architecture and Human Settlements and Master of Urbanism and Strategic Planning, (Dept. of Architecture, KU Leuven). Her research focuses on the interplay between social inclusion/ exclusion and spatial conditions in a variety of contexts. Exploring ‘practised’ and 'lived-in' architecture is an integral part of her work within a more general interest in the trans-cultural construction of cities and their contested spaces.
Ann Heylighen KU Leuven https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6811-3464

Ann Heylighen is a design researcher with a background in architecture/engineering. As a professor of design studies at the KU Leuven, she co-chairs Research[x]Design, a research team at the interface of design research and social sciences/humanities. She studies design practices in architecture and related design domains, and explores how the experience of people of various abilities, ages and perspectives may expand prevailing ways of understanding and designing space. Ann teaches design theory, professional practice, and inclusive design. She is a Fellow of the Design Research Society, Associate Editor of Design Studies, and Editorial Board Member of Codesign and of Building Research and Information.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2612-0496/10781

Keywords:

autism, housing environment, independent living, lived experience

Abstract

Many autistic adults continue living with their parents rather than living independently, regardless of their IQ levels. In studies about adaptive housing, their perspective is still lacking. To address this gap, our research aims to offer insight into, first, autistic adults’ experiences of living independently, and second, what role the housing environment plays in these experiences. A qualitative study was set up to investigate what living independently means to two autistic men. The findings suggest that living independently for them means (1) living in proximity of public facilities, retail stores and family, (2) self-determining their apartment arrangement, daily living activities, and (3) having nearby social contacts to cope with regular domestic stress and anxiety. Comparing their experiences suggests that social and physical factors of the housing environment are not detached, but could strengthen each other in supporting their independent living. The combination of social and physical factors facilitates living independently for these men, which resonates with the paradigm of independent living. A better understanding of autistic people’s lived experiences is crucial to develop housing options which enable them to live independently.

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Understanding independent living with autism: The role of the housing environment in the experiences of two autistic men

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