This study examined the impact of a natural learning environment on the social-emotional development of students with Autism and/or Sensory Processing Disorder. For this research, social-emotional development consisted of social behavior, communication, and participation. The elements of a traditional classroom are characterized by confinement, harsh lighting/acoustics, and other habitual triggers for sensory discomfort. A natural learning environment can provide students with natural stimuli, fresh air, natural acoustics, natural lighting, etc. Additionally, the natural learning environment fosters a connection with nature, which research shows is important for the self-discovery, self-advocacy, and self-efficacy of all humans. Considering the artificial nature of the traditional classroom, this study attempted to inquire into how natural settings can serve as the Least Restrictive Environment for students with sensory processing challenges. Previous research regarding natural learning environments has been predominantly carried out among neurotypical individuals.This study was conducted with a sample of seven students with sensory processing challenges in natural learning environments wherein they engaged in academic and social learning. Data was collected through surveys, observations, and field notes. Results identified that the natural learning environment was conducive to increased sensory regulation, a less restrictive learning environment, and a greater sense of self-advocacy and efficacy from a connection with and exposure to nature.
","abstract_html":"<p>This study examined the impact of a natural learning environment on the social-emotional development of students with Autism and/or Sensory Processing Disorder. For this research, social-emotional development consisted of social behavior, communication, and participation. The elements of a traditional classroom are characterized by confinement, harsh lighting/acoustics, and other habitual triggers for sensory discomfort. A natural learning environment can provide students with natural stimuli, fresh air, natural acoustics, natural lighting, etc. Additionally, the natural learning environment fosters a connection with nature, which research shows is important for the self-discovery, self-advocacy, and self-efficacy of all humans. Considering the artificial nature of the traditional classroom, this study attempted to inquire into how natural settings can serve as the Least Restrictive Environment for students with sensory processing challenges. Previous research regarding natural learning environments has been predominantly carried out among neurotypical individuals.This study was conducted with a sample of seven students with sensory processing challenges in natural learning environments wherein they engaged in academic and social learning. Data was collected through surveys, observations, and field notes. Results identified that the natural learning environment was conducive to increased sensory regulation, a less restrictive learning environment, and a greater sense of self-advocacy and efficacy from a connection with and exposure to nature.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["West, Denise Elizabeth"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Science","degree_level":"Master's Thesis","degree_discipline":"Education","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Jennifer Lucko, PhD","Suresh Appavoo EdD"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2018,"date_issued":"2018-05-01T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2018-05-01T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:04:44Z","subjects":["Autism","Sensory Processing Disorder","Nature","Learning Environment","Sensory Regulation","Natural Learning Environment","Neurodevelopmental Disorders","Disability and Equity in Education","Educational Methods","Other Education","Outdoor Education","Special Education and Teaching"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://scholar.dominican.edu/masters-theses/308","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Jennifer Lucko, PhD","Suresh Appavoo EdD"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["West, Denise Elizabeth"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2018-04-24T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Education"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Master's Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Autism","Sensory Processing Disorder","Nature","Learning Environment","Sensory Regulation","Natural Learning Environment","Neurodevelopmental Disorders","Disability and Equity in Education","Educational Methods","Other Education","Outdoor Education","Special Education and Teaching"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://scholar.dominican.edu/masters-theses/308"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This study examined the impact of a natural learning environment on the social-emotional development of students with Autism and/or Sensory Processing Disorder. For this research, social-emotional development consisted of social behavior, communication, and participation. The elements of a traditional classroom are characterized by confinement, harsh lighting/acoustics, and other habitual triggers for sensory discomfort. A natural learning environment can provide students with natural stimuli, fresh air, natural acoustics, natural lighting, etc. Additionally, the natural learning environment fosters a connection with nature, which research shows is important for the self-discovery, self-advocacy, and self-efficacy of all humans. Considering the artificial nature of the traditional classroom, this study attempted to inquire into how natural settings can serve as the Least Restrictive Environment for students with sensory processing challenges. Previous research regarding natural learning environments has been predominantly carried out among neurotypical individuals.This study was conducted with a sample of seven students with sensory processing challenges in natural learning environments wherein they engaged in academic and social learning. Data was collected through surveys, observations, and field notes. Results identified that the natural learning environment was conducive to increased sensory regulation, a less restrictive learning environment, and a greater sense of self-advocacy and efficacy from a connection with and exposure to nature.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Natural Learning Environments and the Social-Emotional Development of Students with Sensory Processing Challenges"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Jennifer Lucko, PhD","Suresh Appavoo EdD"],"dc:creator":["West, Denise Elizabeth"],"dc:date.available":["2018-04-24T07:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["This study examined the impact of a natural learning environment on the social-emotional development of students with Autism and/or Sensory Processing Disorder. For this research, social-emotional development consisted of social behavior, communication, and participation. The elements of a traditional classroom are characterized by confinement, harsh lighting/acoustics, and other habitual triggers for sensory discomfort. A natural learning environment can provide students with natural stimuli, fresh air, natural acoustics, natural lighting, etc. Additionally, the natural learning environment fosters a connection with nature, which research shows is important for the self-discovery, self-advocacy, and self-efficacy of all humans. Considering the artificial nature of the traditional classroom, this study attempted to inquire into how natural settings can serve as the Least Restrictive Environment for students with sensory processing challenges. Previous research regarding natural learning environments has been predominantly carried out among neurotypical individuals.This study was conducted with a sample of seven students with sensory processing challenges in natural learning environments wherein they engaged in academic and social learning. Data was collected through surveys, observations, and field notes. Results identified that the natural learning environment was conducive to increased sensory regulation, a less restrictive learning environment, and a greater sense of self-advocacy and efficacy from a connection with and exposure to nature.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://scholar.dominican.edu/masters-theses/308"],"dc:subject":["Autism","Sensory Processing Disorder","Nature","Learning Environment","Sensory Regulation","Natural Learning Environment","Neurodevelopmental Disorders","Disability and Equity in Education","Educational Methods","Other Education","Outdoor Education","Special Education and Teaching"],"dc:title":["Natural Learning Environments and the Social-Emotional Development of Students with Sensory Processing Challenges"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Education"],"thesis:degree_level":["Master's Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:04:44Z"}