School boards and committees planning to upgrade or install a new playground or recreational area have a range of factors to consider. Whether to choose a natural versus artificial surface is often the first major decision – informed by practicalities of ongoing costs around maintenance and the critical need to adhere to safety standards. However, one consideration that should also guide decision-making is around inclusivity.
Playgrounds and recreational facilities have a powerful opportunity to actively support and promote inclusivity in several ways including the choice of play equipment, colours used, signage and accessibility to equipment. The choice of playground surface can play a significant role in creating a genuinely inclusive environment for children with autism
According to Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) it’s estimated that around one in 40 people in Australia are on the autism spectrum, which equates to around 675,000 or 2.5 per cent of the population. As autism is complex to diagnose and difficult to track, this finding marks a significant increase from the previous estimate of one in 70 people in Australia.
The new prevalence estimate highlights the importance of supporting and understanding Autistic individuals by ensuring school facilities, including playgrounds and sports grounds, are inclusive of students of all abilities.
Benefits of sensory enrichment therapy
More than 90 per cent of children with autism have sensory processing abnormalities that include sensory-seeking behaviour, avoidance of sensory stimuli and diminished responses to sensory stimulation.
Research results published in 2018 from a trial conducted in California, which tested environmental enrichment for autistic children aged 6-13 years, showed that 42 per cent of the children demonstrated clinically significant improvements in autism symptom severity.
Within this trial, environmental enrichment in the form of Sensory Enrichment Therapy (SET), paired different types of sensory and motor exercises. Participants were given Sensory Kits which included different objects and were required to complete several exercises each day. Varied textures, such as synthetic turf mats, aluminium foil, sponges, artificial flowers, adhesive tape, and bubble wrap, were used to stimulate the sense of touch.
At the conclusion of this trial, it was found that SET-driven environmental enrichment showed promise as an effective approach for the treatment of a wide range of symptoms in individuals with autism.
Can artificial grass help?
Children on the autism spectrum usually have difficulty with the sense of touch – often referred to as tactile defensiveness. This may lead to rituals or aversions involving clothing, food and flooring.
However, the soft touch, consistent texture and visually appealing features of artificial grass can bring about a sense of calm or soothe a child with autism. It also gives autistic children a sense of belonging, as it encourages them to play alongside other students in the playground, instead of avoiding outdoor play.
- Safe – Look for Australian-made, quality artificial grasses. When it comes to play / recreational surfaces ensure that they are installed with a shock pad layer to meet free height of fall guidelines and protect against head injuries
- Cost-effective – Other natural surface options such as grass or mulch/bark can be impacted by weather, often requiring replacing and ongoing maintenance. Bark can also be painful to fall on
- Clean – Artificial turf means less dirt and stones trudged through classrooms and no more mud, dirt or grass stains on clothing
- Colourful – Artificial turf is available in a huge range of vibrant colours and even allows for custom designs.
