Exploring the Effect of Indoor Colors on the Wayfinding Abilities of Children with Autism: A Case Study of the Ajdabiya Autism Health Center

Previous research has shown that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience challenges related to sensory processing, spatial orientation, and navigation within built environments. Although environmental design factors have been recognized as important contributors to wayfinding performance, the specific role of interior color in supporting navigation and behavioral regulation remains insufficiently explored. This paper examines the effects of interior color on wayfinding performance in an autism healthcare facility. A mixed-methods design was used, involving experimental testing, behavioral observation, and questionnaire analysis. Twenty children with ASD were separated into control and experimental groups and exposed to color-modified environments as a result of a preliminary preference assessment. The success rate, time taken to navigate, and behavioral indicators were used to assess the performance. To determine differences between the color conditions, a statistical analysis was conducted. The findings indicate that cool colors, especially blue and green, are associated with improved wayfinding performance, including higher success rates, reduced navigation time, and calmer behavior. Conversely, warm colors like orange and pink were associated with poorer performance and greater distractibility. The findings indicated statistically significant differences between the tested color conditions, F(5, 14) = 5.87, p = 0.004, η2p = 0.68. However, given the exploratory nature of the study and the limited sample size, these results should be interpreted cautiously. The study nevertheless provides preliminary evidence supporting the consideration of interior color as a potential design factor in autism-friendly environments.