The Adams Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) caters to children ranging in age from birth to 5-years-old and has been created with specific intentions to be neuroinclusive and accessible to students of all physical and neurological abilities. Located in the heart of downtown La Quinta, this campus serves to provide support for all students and aims to grant equal opportunities regardless of student needs.
The team at Ruhnau Clarke Architects devoted themselves to understanding the needs of neurodivergent communities to design a space that is customized for a population often underrepresented. Through analysis of scholarly articles, interviews, and anecdotes from adults on the spectrum and parents of children with autism, the Adams ECLC was developed at every stage with deliberate care.
Design decisions – such as biophilic elements, enhanced safety and security, and specialized spaces for play, therapy, and de-escalation – aim to soothe, calm, and reduce sensory stressors while also ensuring students are safe. Interior play areas encourage movement, creativity, and social interaction, while sensory rooms for emotional regulation skill development are available when needed. Outdoor play areas are curated to protect students from exposure while granting children the chance to play with one another, unencumbered by disabilities.
