A Community Playground for Children with Autism

At first look, the playground at the Children’s Guild-Transformation Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, looks like any other. It has swings, slides, and places for children to climb and crawl. However, this playground is much more than just a place for fun; it is designed as a supportive environment where students can learn, grow, and gain independence. Everything—from the type of surface it sits on to the color of its seating areas and the placement of the surrounding fence—is specifically tailored for kids with autism, emphasizing the importance of “safety for kids with autism.”

Mark Rapaport, the managing director of autism services at the Transformation Academy, explains that the school caters to students aged 5 to 21 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who may be lower-functioning. He candidly shares, “None of our kids will ever drive. None of our kids will ever live fully independently… None of our kids graduate high school.” Despite these challenges, the Transformation Academy focuses on helping students become as independent as possible, equipping them with essential communication and social skills, along with practical abilities such as cleaning and cooking.

“And learning through play is a big deal,” Rapaport emphasizes. “The classroom is great. But it’s [things like play] that’s at the heart of the mission, which is building independence and getting them to be able to go into the adult world.” This focus on experiential learning is integral to the school’s philosophy and highlights how essential it is to make learning engaging for the students.

The playground itself, designed by Sparks@Play, a Maryland company, took months to develop, with the structures being manufactured by Landscape Structures, Inc. Dan Hack, who worked for Sparks@Play, notes that the design team spent weeks understanding the students’ needs before beginning the construction. This collaborative design process involved physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists to ensure that the playground met the unique requirements of the children. Funded through a $500,000 project with support from the state of Maryland and the nonprofit Orokawa Foundation, the playground stands as a testament to thoughtful, inclusive design.

Even small details in the playground design can significantly impact children with autism and other disabilities. For instance, the surrounding fence extends into a wooded area, creating an illusion of openness. Additionally, the ground under the play areas is made from soft, solid materials that accommodate students using wheelchairs or crutches, ensuring safety and accessibility for all.

The playground features two slides sitting side-by-side, allowing parents or teachers with older, larger students to go down the slide alongside the kids, fostering a sense of camaraderie. A unique spinning structure known as the We-Go-Round includes a space for children in wheelchairs, ensuring that everyone can enjoy playtime together.

To support sensory development, the designers incorporated various sensory elements to assist students, as many children with autism experience Sensory Processing Disorder, making them sensitive to certain sounds and textures. Hack explains that the benches surrounding the playground may look simple from a distance, but they are “one of our most inclusive sensory” elements. These benches feature multiple colors that evoke feelings of calm and curiosity and are made from smooth materials that children can touch and manipulate. Rapaport adds that if a child begins to feel uneasy, they can sit down and feel the bench, helping them relax and regain their composure.

Moreover, the playground includes musical bells and large xylophones that create soothing sounds, providing additional sensory experiences. For moments when a student needs a break from the activity, an enclosed structure offers a quiet, peaceful space where they can recharge.

One of the standout features, according to Rapaport, is a water-spraying tower designed to engage multiple children simultaneously. This equipment serves a vital role in helping older children with autism overcome their fears of water, which can often be overstimulating for them. “Imagine you have a child that won’t take a shower,” Rapaport explains. “Now we can have kids go outside, and they’re standing under a sprayer, and they’re loving it. Why? Because they’re watching other kids do it.” This kind of thoughtful design encourages students to engage with each other and their surroundings.

The equipment throughout the playground is strategically designed to encourage interaction among students, even those who typically prefer solitary play. For instance, a swing set that allows two kids to swing at the same time promotes shared experiences and teamwork.

Celia Galion shares her personal experience with her daughter Deborah, a 14-year-old student at Transformation Academy. Deborah has tuberous sclerosis, which causes seizures and contributed to her autism at a young age. “Deborah is a very sweet child,” Galion describes. “She likes playing. She loves hugs. She’s very affectionate, and she likes to be loud. And so being outside is great.”

Galion reveals that it has been four or five years since she last took Deborah to a playground. Her hesitance stemmed from concerns about other children being unkind and the perception that many playgrounds were not safe for her daughter. However, she now feels confident taking Deborah to the new playground at Transformation Academy, which allows “children to feel like they have a little bit of freedom.” She appreciates that they can play “without having to necessarily have somebody standing right over them to make sure that they’re safe…it’s really, really great for them.”

Rapaport mentions that the school plans to open the playground to everyone in the autism community, extending its benefits beyond just the students who attend Transformation Academy. This initiative underscores the commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for all children with autism.

Hack believes that this playground can help autistic children of all ages develop their independence as they transition into adulthood. He states, “Being able to learn how to collaborate and work with other people and use your imagination and try things that you wouldn’t have tried otherwise…shapes you into a much more confident and well-abled adult.”