Northland shopping centre has opened an Australia-first “quiet room” for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
A partnership between Amaze, formerly Autism Victoria, and the Colonial Estate- owned shopping centre is behind the “sensory soothing space”, which was purpose-built to offer respite for autistic adults and parents with autistic children.
The bright lights, echoing corridors and loud music of shopping centres can create sensory overload and lead to “meltdowns” in people with ASD, Amaze chief executive Fiona Sharkie said.
“This is a really innovative idea. People on the spectrum often can’t go to shopping centres because there’s too much sensory stimulation. Now there’s somewhere they can go for some downtime.” Northland centre manager Michael Bickers said a Northland employee with an autistic child had instigated the idea.
Amaze suggested the centre build a dedicated space for sufferers to reduce their anxiety and over-stimulation.
Mr Bickers said it was fitted with pastel colours, soft furnishings, soft lighting and very little stimuli.
“We wanted to provide something needed by the community,” he said.
Almost 90 per cent of the cost of the $40,000 room was covered by voluntary work, with Northland’s contractors, including carpenters and air-conditioning providers, donating their time and the cost of materials.
Lexi Cottee
