Main sensitivity drivers in indoor acoustic comfort for autistic individuals.

The present study analyzes the acoustic stress induced on autistic individuals, studied by means of questionnaires administrated to parents and professional caregivers. The acoustics comfort domain has a great impact on autistic people; indeed, variations of spatial acoustic parameters can influence the sensitivities of each individual and the perceived stress is influenced by severity of autism, comorbidities and age. The study highlights that there are clear differences between the indirect evaluations performed by parents or professional caregivers, in relation to the specific identification of stress sources. Acoustics is identified as the one causing the major stress, especially caused by noises and particular sounds such as voices, animal sounds and impacts, and its dependence on the severity of autism is evidenced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]