Responsive multisensory environments as a tool to facilitate social engagement in children with an autism spectrum disorder

This paper presents an ongoing Design-based human study with a multisensory environment (MSE) and discusses the potential for the space to facilitate social engagement between children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and their parent or carer. The tool is presented as an alternative to existing MSEs and other technologically based therapeutic interventions and discusses the importance of an awareness of agency in establishing communicative behaviours. By using clear and predictable types of interaction, this MSE aims to recognise other modes of engaging and communicating through sensory experiences.