Color application for the very color-sensitive

Color application for the very color-sensitive

Recommendation 117
Establish a very balanced color scheme with minimal contrasts and without loud and reflecting colors

Chapter (theme)
Interior design (color)

Because of
strong sensory hypersensitivity (for color), central coherence and cognitive shifting

In order to
avoid sensory overload, stress and confusion.

Elaboration
In the theme ‘color’ a rule of thumb is mentioned; hypersensitivity to colors generally increases along with the seriousness of the autism. The introduction of independent living notes self-reliance is a precondition for living by oneself but this does not rule out that the autism ‘proper’ might be relatively severe. Therefore, it’s quite possible that independently living people are extremely color-sensitive.
This is one of a twin-recommendation, intended for the severely color sensitive, while 116 is for the moderately sensitive. Of course in-between measures are also possible.

Recommendation 116 proposes the application of soft, muted colors or pastels and to avoid strongly reflecting colors. Green, blue and white are advisable, while red and yellow are discouraged. We hasten to add these measures merely address the most common color sensibilities. If the individual deviates from this, the measures should be adjusted accordingly, for instance by applying red or yellow or maybe even bright colors, as the case may be. As is generally the case with living by oneself, here too, the possibility to take individual preferences into account is greater than in any other context; no – or hardly any -concessions to others are necessary.

For the very color-sensitive we mainly propose the same measures as for the moderately color-sensitive family-members, but more strongly. In the most common cases this means application of even softer, more muted and more matted colors, along with a stronger reduction of contrasts. Contrast reduction can be achieved by strongly limiting the number of colors, usually preferably to white, soft blue and soft green or to two (and in extreme cases just one) of these colors. Door- and window frames should have the same color as the doors and the walls. The color of furniture and other inventory should only marginally differ from the surrounding and floor colors.
The recommendation made elsewhere to keep cupboards closed and to avoid clutter, also works to keep objects of possibly disturbing colors out of sight.

Towards the end of the theme ‘color’ the remark is made that some cognitive problems such as inflexibility and fragmented perception are exacerbated in surroundings with adjacent changing colors. An added advantage of the simplification of the color image is that such problems are lessened as well.

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