###### Abstract  
People on the autism spectrum have a different perception of the environment than neurotypical people and often require support in various activities of daily living. Assistive technology can support those affected, but very few smart-home-like technologies exist. To support people on the autism spectrum in their autonomy and safety and to help caregivers, a smart home and interior design environment was developed. Requirements were gathered by employing a holistic human-centered design approach through interactive workshops and questionnaires to create a useful and user-friendly solution. From this process, requirements for a comprehensive solution (the SENSHOME environment) emerged. These requirements include a set of functionalities tailored to the needs of people on the autism spectrum, such as a crowd warning that informs when many people are in a certain area (for example, the entrance), an automatic light regulation system, or a daily life planner that supports task completion. Furthermore, inclusive furniture elements such as a refuge seat or a table with dividers can support wellbeing, autonomy, and safety. This paper demonstrates a consequent and considerable participatory research approach and the story from the target group and context of use through design requirements to the initial design solution of the SENSHOME environment. Keywords: autism spectrum; human-centered design; smart home; interior design +
Footnote †: journal: Medical  
spectrum is based on wearable devices or smartphones. Anyway, the advantage of a smart home in comparison to wearable technology is its unobtrusiveness [18]. In this framework, it is important to find new solutions capable of improving individuals' independence, indoor comfort, and safety. This will help people on the spectrum, their families, and caregivers live an easier everyday life. For this reason, the European project SENSHOME was designed and funded. It concerns a research process that aims to develop a smart home and interior design solution that is tailored to the needs of people on the autism spectrum and their caregivers. The main aim of this solution is to support people with autism in their own home environment (which can either be assisted living facilities or private settings), to be more autonomous and to increase their safety and wellbeing, and to assist the caregivers [19]. SENSHOME was a cooperative project combining different professions and thus knowledge in the consortium (acoustics, indoor comfort, architecture, interior design, assistive technology, participatory research, automation, and software development). To meet the resources, needs, and challenges of people on the autism spectrum and caregivers, a holistic human-centered design (HCD) approach [20] was applied from the very beginning of the project and followed throughout. Different needs of potential users were gathered and transformed into tailored smart home and digital functionalities. The objectives of design for people on the autism spectrum have been reoriented and broadened to work not only based on deficits but also on the skills that people with autism have, sometimes in a particularly developed way [21]. The chances of an independent life, which the project aims to improve, also depend on the role and social image of the person with autism [22]. These aspects have been investigated, focusing on spheres such as language and sociality, identity and subjectivity, or narrations. In light of this, the involvement of the environment among future users is essential for the fruitful personalization and enhancement of specific skills, such as visual and spatial skills [23; 24]. The research on architecture for people with autism has also identified some critical issues related to the different design guidelines and manuals usually used to guide autism-friendly projects.