One Place, Whole Care: Designing a One-Stop Clinic for Integrated Autism Support

Key features include:

• Therapy rooms for speech, occupational and behavioral therapy
• Diagnostic spaces for assessments, imaging and neurology
• Exam rooms for general medicine, nutrition and consultations
• Sensory rooms and supportive environments for self-regulation

By intentionally co-locating these services, the clinic empowers patients and caregivers to receive holistic care in a single, streamlined visit—reducing travel, improving outcomes and supporting consistent engagement across disciplines.

Design Strategies that Support Neurodiverse Patients

From planning through execution, CPL’s Healthcare team worked in close partnership with URMC clinicians and care teams, listening to ensure every detail of the space was responsive to real-world needs. Below are the core strategies that brought this vision to life.

1. Unified Care Through Thoughtful Space Planning

Creating a seamless care journey began with mapping the entire patient experience—from arrival to checkout—and designing for flow, efficiency and ease. Key planning elements included:

• Optimized adjacencies between services to reduce internal travel and eliminate redundant steps
• Clearly defined circulation loops to minimize confusion and avoid backtracking
• Zoned check-in and waiting areas to reduce congestion and improve privacy
• Strategically placed care team zones to support faster consults, real-time collaboration and care continuity

A staff support area inside the Levine Autism Clinic.

2. A Calming, Child-Centered Environment

Every element of the clinic’s interior design was thoughtfully considered to ease anxiety, foster emotional regulation, and create a journey that feels comforting and familiar for neurodiverse patients.

One unique challenge: with the clinic’s location on the third floor, patients are required to use an elevator or stairwell—often a source of stress for children on the spectrum. Rather than ignore this transitional space, we transformed it into an essential part of the experience. Key features include:

• Visual storytelling along the vertical journey, with graphics of tree trunks, branches and leaves guiding patients upward through the stairwell and elevator lobby.
• A sky-themed arrival experience, featuring cloud and treetop motifs and images of hot air balloons that signal a calming, nature-inspired destination.

The third-floor “reveal” within the Levine Autism Clinic.

3. Maximizing Daylight for Wellness

Natural light is a proven tool in supporting emotional regulation, focus and overall well-being—especially for neurodiverse patients. To harness these benefits:

• Key clinical and consultation areas are located along the building’s perimeter to bring in daylight.
• Interior glazing and transom windows allow light to reach internal rooms.

A consultation space with daylight from windows.

4. Sensory-Conscious Design

Given the heightened sensory sensitivities that many children with ASD experience, we prioritized materials, finishes and spatial design features that promote a sense of calm and control. Key elements include:

• Dedicated sensory rooms equipped with tactile, visual and interactive features.
• Soft, familiar shapes and textures used throughout the clinic to provide visual reassurance and a sense of comfort.
• Thoughtfully designed check-in experience, where oversized illuminated leaves at the front desk provide a quiet point of interest for children while parents complete paperwork.

A sensory and play room within the Levine Autism Clinic.

5. Intuitive Navigation for Confidence and Clarity

Wayfinding can be a barrier to care, especially for those who rely on visual cues. To support patient autonomy, we designed an intuitive navigation system based on consistent indicators. These strategies included:

• Color-coded zones to distinguish between therapy, exam and waiting areas.
• Familiar floor patterns, such as leaves and clouds, to provide directional cues.
• Transparent doorways and partial glazing to reduce uncertainty about upcoming spaces.

Color-coded zones and familiar shapes offer easy navigation in the Levine Autism Clinic.

6. Built-In Safety and Emotional Security

Children with ASD may be more prone to elopement, sensory overwhelm or difficulties responding to unexpected stimuli. Our design anticipates these challenges with discreet safeguards that do not compromise the welcoming feel of the clinic. Protective elements include:

• Controlled access zones to prevent wandering.
• Rounded corners and soft edges on furniture to minimize injury risks.
• Strategically placed staff visibility points for proactive support.

A therapy room with padded, round-edged furniture in the Levine Autism Clinic.

TANGIBLE BENEFITS FOR PATIENTS, FAMILIES AND CARE TEAMS

Since opening, the Levine Children’s Autism Clinic has become a lifeline for patients, families and staff across the Greater Rochester region.

Patients benefit from a calming, consistent care experience. Families no longer have to coordinate appointments across multiple days and locations. Now, medical consultations, therapeutic services and behavioral assessments can occur within the same visit—often in the same hallway.

For staff, teamwork is efficient. Care teams can coordinate in real time.

A MODEL FOR THE FUTURE OF AUTISM CARE

With autism diagnoses on the rise and care models continuing to evolve, institutions that invest in integrated, patient-centered environments will be better equipped to meet the growing demand for accessible, coordinated support. By designing sensory-friendly spaces that bring multiple specialties under one roof, CPL is helping partners like URMC deliver care that is efficient, compassionate and responsive to real-world needs.

We believe that the future of this patient population is shaped in the outpatient centers we design today. Together, let’s reimagine what autistic care can look like—for every child, every family and every care team.