Join us Friday 19th April 2024.

View the Microsoft Teams link here

Or join us in Person at the UNSW City Analytics Lab (located in the Basement of Anita B Lawrence Centre West Wing)

Design for neurodiversity: Inclusive design principles in early years learning spaces

At least, one in seven Australian children are estimated to be neurodivergent or have trauma-related behaviours. Yet, there is little focus on inclusive early childhood learning environments which can minimise hypersensitivities and sensory avoidance and support wayfinding and executive functioning in this population. This seminar will present preliminary findings of an interdisciplinary project which scoped the most current literature and combined it with stakeholder expertise to address this knowledge gap in building and environment design for young children’s learning settings. The purpose is to maximise children participation in learning and social activities and narrow the individualised adjustments required from teachers.

Dr Fatemeh Aminpour

Dr Fatemeh Aminpour is currently a Lecturer in the City Futures Research Centre and a Lecturer (Ed-focused) in the program of Landscape Architecture at UNSW. She has a background in Architecture and is experienced in environment-behaviour research, design of educational environments and their neighbourhood settings. Her research investigates the diverse needs of underserved and marginalised populations including children, people with diverse abilities, seniors and homeless people. Her research addresses gaps in the existing knowledge of inclusive design and child-friendly and age-friendly environments.