Human-Centered Design Approach in Art Therapy Center for Autistic Children with Sensory Dysfunction

Interior Design Department, School of Design, Bina Nusantara University Jakarta, Indonesia 11480

^* Corresponding author: silvia.meliana@binus.ac.id

Abstract

The more in-depth development of autism treatment means that children with autism are no longer learning only through Special Schools (SLB). Treatment efforts for autistic children have been carried out in Indonesia to aid growth and development. However, not all places of therapy for autistic children provide an additional platform for them to express themselves creatively, such as through art therapy methods. For example, art therapy, which uses nonverbal expressions expressed through works of art, can help children with autism who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally. Art therapy also aids motor and sensory development in children with autism who have hyper-sensory or hypo-sensory dysfunctions. We can focus the design on the differences in sensory dysfunction that autistic children have, which are implemented in the results of designs and design solutions that can improve the process of development and growth of children with autism using the Human-Centered Design (HCD) approach. The qualitative data for the study was gathered through literature studies, observations, field surveys, and interviews.