Color application for the moderately color-sensitive

Recommendation 116
Establish a balanced color scheme, avoid stark contrasts and loud and reflecting colors

Chapter (theme)

Interior design (color)

Because of
moderate sensory hypersensitivity (for color)

In order to
avoid sensory overload and stress.

Elaboration
In the theme ‘color’ the rule of thumb is mentioned that hypersensitivity to colors generally increases along with the seriousness of the autism. (There are exceptions in both directions: less serious autism and more serious color-problems and vice versa.)

As is generally the case with living independently by oneself, here too, the possibility to take individual preferences into account is greater than in any other context; no or hardly any concessions are necessary. Nevertheless the recommendations around color are split in two: these are for the moderately sensitive and in recommendation 117 those for the very sensitive are given; of course in-between measures are also possible.

It’s advisable to consider the colors in the home as a whole: do they match, isn’t there too much contrast?
Furthermore it’s recommended to employ soft, muted colors and/or pastels and to avoid strongly reflecting colors.
Generally colors at the ‘cool’ (lower frequency) end of the color-spectrum are advisable that is to say green, blue and white as well.
Colors with higher frequencies, i.e. red and yellow often have an over-stimulating effect and can even be stress-inducing.

Color-sensitivity is a complex issue which is expounded upon in the theme of this recommendation, ‘color’.