Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) affect a person’s ability to learn, move, interact, or care for themselves. According to the CDC, about 1-in-10 adults in the U.S. are impacted by IDD. Existing literature suggests that adults with IDD require unique environments that are conducive to their medical and psychological needs, often requiring around-the-clock care at home or dedicated facilities. In addition, adults with IDD often require long-stay periods and custom environments in healthcare settings. Therefore, this scoping review investigates how healthcare facility design impacts the experiences of adults with IDD and their caregivers. Most of the existing data used observations, interviews, and surveys with caregivers. Some of the initial findings indicate that adults with IDD are most susceptible to triggers and discomfort from light, sensory overloads, and unexpectedness with the design of the environment. Therefore, further research should be conducted from the perspective of adults with IDD to cater to their design needs.
KEYWORDS Adult with Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), healthcare design, built environment
