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Exposure to natural environments - from low-tech strategies like short walks to high-tech strategies like virtual reality nature - has positive effects for people on the autism spectrum, according to a scoping review of 36 studies.

Wells, Nancy M., Jordan Tralins, Dongying Li, Timothy J. Mateer, Erin R.B. Eldermire, Helena le Roux Ohm, Johanna Lantz, and Matthew R. Kibbee. “The effect of the natural environment and greenness on behavior, function, and well-being among individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review.” Journal of Environmental Psychology 105 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102619

Topics

Health & well-being, Mental wellness

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