International Neurodiversity & the Built Environment Symposium: Building Empathy

Marking the fifth year of the International Neurodiversity and the Built Environment series, our theme, “Interdependence in Action,” promotes collaboration, interaction and mutual support while suggesting practical and actionable discussions that address all-inclusive ways of inhabiting and perceiving our environments.

The event is presented by the Synesthetic Research & Design Lab at the College of Architecture & the Built Environment, in collaboration with the Jefferson Health Center for Autism & Neurodiversity, and in partnership with the University College Dublin Inclusive Design Research Centre of Ireland with SMARTlab teams. It is sponsored by the Shrub Oak International School.

We invite all participants to join us for the in-person reception event the evening before the Symposium to meet and cross-pollinate.

The event and symposium are free and open to the public, registration required.

The discussions will build on the previous four years' symposia, "Intentional Connections" in Spring 2024, "PlaceMaking" in Fall 2022, "Immersive Experiences" in Fall 2021, and "Building Community and Rethinking the Built Environment" in Fall 2020, respectively.

Panel 1

Multiscalar & Co-Design Approaches

The Ins & Outs: Multiscalar Designs with the Frankfort Community, Philadelphia

• Severino Alfonso, Director, Synesthetic Research & Design Laboratory, Assistant Professor, College of Architecture & the Built Environment (CABE), Thomas Jefferson University
• Kimberly Douglas, Director and Professor, Landscape Architecture Program, Lab for Urban and Social Innovation, Stantec Term Chair, College of Architecture & the Built Environment (CABE), Thomas Jefferson University; Robert Wood Johnson Fellow Interdisciplinary Research Leaders
• Laila Hassan, Landscape Architecture student, Thomas Jefferson University
• Siretta Humphrey, pastor of the Word of Faith Church, Frankford, Philadelphia

Flourishing-based Co-Design as a Mechanism for Impactful Design with/for Neurodiversity and therefore Design for All

• Jenna Mikus, Founder, Eudae Group; Honorary Fellow, University of Melbourne’s Centre for Wellbeing Science; Visiting Fellow, QUT’s Centre for Decent Work & Industry

Centering Co-Design for Inclusion in an Interdisciplinary Design Studio

• Magda Mostafa, Founding Partner and Principal of StudioTM,  Professor of Design at the American University in Cairo
• Sarah Rottenberg, Executive Director, Integrated Product Design and Adjunct Associate Professor, Stuart Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania

Panel 2

Support Frameworks

The Influence of Environment and High Sensitivity: Navigating Personal and Professional World

• Clara de Castro, Expert in High Sensitivity and Emotional Intelligence; registered Architect and Interior Designer
• Antonio Chacón, President of the Board of Trustees, Spanish High Sensitivity Foundation (Fundespas)

Student-Centered AI: Revolutionizing Therapeutic Tools with a Focus on Individual Needs

• Rinat Hitelman, Co-Founder and Clinical Director, Wide Therapy
• Lauren Koffler, Head of Admissions, Communications, and Client Relations at Shrub Oak International School

Panel 3

Building our Practice

Lab Planning for Neuro-Inclusion

• Aria Hill, Architectural Designer, Payette
• Larissa Sattler, Architect (AIA), Payette
• Ellie Thomas, Architectural Designer, Payette

Designing Learning Environments for a Spectrum

• Matthew Heckendorn, President of Heckendorn Shiles Architects

Lessons Learned from Neurodivergent Scientists

• Rachel Updegrove, HERA laboratory planners

Panel 4

Practical Applications of Cross-Disciplinary Work

Take a Seat - The Doctor Will See You Soon

• Elijah Jones, clerk typist, Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging Protective Services
• Rob Mellville, Visiting Assistant Professor, Kanbar College of Design, Engineering & Commerce (DEC), Thomas Jefferson University
• Wendy J. Ross, MD, Inaugural Director, Jefferson Health Center for Autism and Neurodiversity, and Clinical Associate Professor, Behavioral Health
• Lonnie Smith, owner, Autisarian
• Sabra Townsend, Director of Operations, Jefferson Health Center for Autism and Neurodiversity
• Gary Welfer, Program Manager – Specials, MillerKnoll - North America

Thank you to our sponsor

Building on the previous three years' symposia, FALL2020 Building Community and Rethinking the Built Environment, FALL2021 Immersive Experiences, and FALL2022 PlaceMaking, respectively, our fourth year's symposium focused on Intentional Connections and ways we are all in together to expand the scope of the dialogue with a focus on Shifting Cultures and Education as a Catalyst.

Building on the previous two years' symposia, FALL2020 Building Community and Rethinking the Built Environment and FALL2021 Immersive Experiences, respectively, we looked to expand the scope of the dialogue with a focus on the notions of belonging, placemaking and sensemaking over a two-part symposium during October 2022 and Spring 2023.

Building upon the previous year's symposium, Neurodiversity: Building Community and Rethinking the Built Environment, this year’s dialogue focused on immersive experiences, responsive environments, spatial interactions, and experimental evaluative and physiological measuring tools and criteria. It also included advocacy, spatial and social guidelines, and bottom up and organic initiatives. 

The event aimed to stimulate dialogue amongst designers, medical field experts and people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their caregivers in regard to the inclusivity of our current environments and with particular focus on designing for neurodiverse individuals and those with ASD.