Despite the growing awareness of neurodiversity, people on the autism spectrum still encounter numerous barriers in the work environment. Standard, open office spaces are often sensory-overwhelming, and the lack of adaptation to diverse needs makes it difficult to function effectively. So, how can you create inclusive offices that support all employees, regardless of how they process stimuli?

 

Offices for everyone, or what does a truly inclusive work environment look like?

 

Although many companies declare openness and equality, the office environment for neuroatypical people can be a source of discomfort. Yet people on the spectrum often have above-average analytical skills, exceptional concentration, or the ability to notice details.

The problem is not cognitive limitations but the lack of adaptation of office space to their needs. Typical offices are designed for the so-called "average user, " excluding people who perceive and process reality differently.

 

Open space and the autism spectrum - what bothers?

 

A typical open space office consists of glass, metal and concrete materials that reflect sound and create echoes. Noise, lack of privacy, strong light, and intense colours may be neutral for neurotypical people, but for autistic people, they pose a real threat to mental and physical health.

"A regular day at work can lead to overstimulation, fatigue and a drop in productivity," says Marcin Latta, an expert in office acoustics at Ecophon Saint-Gobain.

The sounds of conversations, clattering keyboards, the sounds of chairs or even whispers can be so intense that they cause exhaustion. In such conditions, it isn't easy to be comfortable and efficient - and, after all, the point is to design offices for neuroatypical people to support their full potential.

 

Good acoustic design is not a luxury – it is essential.

 

"If the office resembles a resonance box, the mind cannot work effectively," adds Latta. Office acoustics are the foundation of comfort. The use of glass wool ceilings, acoustic panels and sound-absorbing fabrics are solutions that improve not only the comfort of people on the autism spectrum but also all employees.

 

Silence is not a privilege – it is a condition for efficiency.

 

A study by PLGBC and Workplace (2024) shows that only 24.3% of employees have access to a quiet workspace. But silence is not a luxury – it is a condition for concentration, mental safety and development.

"We still design offices as if everyone had the same sensitivity threshold. That is not true!" says Anna Dziadkowiec, Workplace Partner.

How can inclusive offices for people on the autism spectrum be created? To truly address the needs of neuroatypical people, offices should offer the following:

• Silence and quiet zones,

• Acoustic finishing materials,

• Possibility of regulating lighting and temperature,

• Logical, clear layout of space,

• Option to choose between collaboration and isolation.

This approach allows everyone to work in conditions adapted to their cognitive style.

Let's talk about neurodiversity, but let's act!

Inclusive office design is not just a trend but a necessity. It's not just about words or social campaigns once a year. It's about fundamental changes: physical, organizational and social.

Autism is not a defect. It's a different operating system. And the limitation is spaces that assume we are all the same," says Weronika Tomiak from the Neurodiverse Foundation.

 

Summary: An office that is friendly to neuroatypical people is a better office for everyone

 

Inclusive design is an investment in diversity, efficiency and employee well-being. Proper acoustics, structure and the ability to adapt space to individual needs are the foundation of a modern workplace.

Let's ensure that World Autism Awareness Day is not just a symbol but the beginning of lasting change in office design.

 

Source: www.propertydesign.pl

Photo: Pixabay