Home life: Designing special spaces for autistic children

A gifted artist, Devin holds up a self-portrait he did in chalk in his bedroom. His room is in a quiet part of the house with lots of natural light, high ceilings and a neutral colour palette.

Autistic kids react differently to environments than other children. One designer learnt how to create special spaces that help these kids to adjust.

AJ Paron-Wildes’ home, a walk-out rambler in suburban Oak Park Heights, Minneapolis, is a study in calm – all clean, uncluttered spaces and earthy, neutral hues that echo the autumn leaves framing the view of the St Croix River. On an autumn afternoon, daughter Eva, six, is having an after-school snack, while son Devin, 19, sketches intently, seated at the studio desk in his orderly bedroom.