Improving the Sensory Environments of Mental Health in-patient Facilities for Autistic Children and Young People

Williams, G., Corbyn, J., & Hart, A. (2023). Improving the Sensory Environments of Mental Health in-patient Facilities for Autistic Children and Young People. Child Care in Practice, 29(1), 35-53. https://doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2022.2126437

Publication date: 2 Jan 2023 Added to AutiHub: 7 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

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Authors

Publication authors
3
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 3 (33.3%)

Abstract

Poor mental health—compared to that of the neurotypical child population—is a serious concern for many autistic children and young people around the world. In the UK, we have an increasing number of autistic young people receiving care in NHS funded in-patient mental health facilities. While sensory processing differences have now been added to international diagnostic criteria for autism, recent autistic-led and co-produced, practice-based research commissioned by the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Taskforce and delivered by National Development Team for Inclusion has identified that knowledge of autistic sensory differences and needs is institutionally absent. In particular, the sensory environments of NHS England-funded in-patient facilities were found to present sometimes extreme challenges for autistic young people that at best hinder wellbeing and at worst exacerbate existing mental health problems: instigating a cycle of progressing upwards through increasingly restrictive settings for some. This paper shares some of this learning, gained from the consultation with young autistic people who have experience of inpatient services and autistic Experts by Experience working on novel sensory ward environment reviews. We first introduce the framing of autism as primarily shaped by sensory and social processing differences and outline the significance of this perspective for the in-patient care of autistic young people and children. We then provide an overview of the current sensory challenges that exist in inpatient mental health facilities for autistic children and young people. Finally, we conclude with some suggestions for areas of future research around the impact of adapting ward environments, that have promise for broader and international settings.

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Cited references
71
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
10 / 71 (14.1%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
18 / 204 (8.8%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 18 / 89 (20.2%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 16 / 192 (8.3%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
89 / 204 (43.6%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 77 / 192 (40.1%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
71 / 89 (79.8%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 71 / 204 (34.8%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 61 / 77 (79.2%).
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