Ying Ruey Lee

Build to order; build to include

Though ASD comes with highly individualized difficulties, social deficits remain the core underlying feature and impairment source (O’Haire, 2017). Engaging in social interactions and forming social relationships are common challenges faced by anyone on the spectrum, from children, adolescents to adults (O’Haire, 2017; Ward et al., 2017; Wijker et al., 2020). Alongside awareness of their social challenges, it can lead to frustrations, isolation, loneliness, and depression (Ward et al., 2017).

Considering a neurodivergent person’s greater capacity to care for animals and more fully engage in human-animal interactions, pets can thus act as potential buffers to facilitate positive social-emotional adjustment (Ward et al., 2017). It is noted in several journals regarding AAT that having animals in therapy sessions helped to promote interactions between the therapist and patient, as anxiety and arousal in patients were reduced (Davis et al., 2015; Ward et al., 2017; Wijker et al., 2020). Aside from being a safe and calm companion that facilitate social expression, pets can also give their owners a sense of responsibility (Grandin et al., 2019, p.293).

This thesis will thus interrogate the use of shared spaces and private units within the Singapore Public Housing model to provide environmental enrichment opportunities for both the people on the spectrum and their pets. Which can encourage social interaction within the community, correspondingly ameliorate some of the symptoms of autism (Woo et al., 2015). Overall, curating an inclusive environment that facilitates pet owners’ needs while addressing the demands of neurodiverse residents.