By incorporating these design strategies into a care environment, there is evidence that supports the following benefits for children:

• less pain experienced in an environment where nature has been incorporated into the design;
• lightening conditions lead to better quality of sleep;
• less stress is experienced by patients where lighting, noise, and nature are incorporated into a care setting, especially important for children with sensory disorders; and,

These conditions are correlated to reduced levels of depression, shorter stays in care, less serious incidents and fewer restraints for children with developmental and sensory disorders. 

Knowing the value of this evidence-based information, has prompted the Child and Parent Resource Institute (CPRI) to take its own steps into making our organization child-friendly. The photos listed above show just some of the ways in which we are striving to make our environment welcoming and psychologically safe for all those who enter our doors. Take a look and see what we have done to date!

*Ulrich, R. S., Zimring, C., Zhu, X., DuBose, J., Seo, H. B., Choi, Y. S., ... & Joseph, A. (2008). A review of the research literature on evidence-based healthcare design. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal,1(3), 61-125.