BUILT ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM: PHILANTHROPY AS A SOURCE OF FUNDING

Abstract

Built environments could be a useful help for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to handle the severe situation caused by COVID19 pandemic, and to optimize the children with ASD environment fit. Lack of financial to prepare built environment for children with ASD among the public will lead to those children being misplaced in unsuitable physical and cognitive development. This paper aims to highlight the new culture in funding through philanthropy to provide a built environment for children with ASD. It is envisioned, through this philanthropical funding approach, will minimize the financial burdens of parents or caregivers. A descriptive analysis was conducted to evaluate the Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Respondents and their families’ financial situation. Information was obtained on the level of behaviour on philanthropy usage in providing built environment to children with ASD. Besides, information on the families’ financial conditions were also solicited since it is crucial in determining the respondents’ actions and their course when seeking solutions. The findings revealed that financial situation especially after COVID-19 impacted parents or caregivers. The pandemic of COVID-19 emphasises the need for a safe and comfortable space especially for children with ASD. This research additionally notes that there exists a high level of future behavioural intention in the realm of financing the built environment for children with ASD through philanthropy funding. Therefore, this study concludes that providing built environment for children with ASD specifically at home is a useful mechanism to assist parents in handling the severe situation and optimize the children with ASD environment fit.