Abstract :
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a group of conditions resulting from abnormal brain development. About 6.7% of children in Egypt have one or more developmental disorders. Although the number of children with NDD is constantly increasing, they are still neglected in the landscape designing process. Many researchers have investigated the importance of landscape and its positive effect on mental and psychological health. However, there is still a lack of research and knowledge on the importance and the effect of landscape and outdoor green spaces on the behavioral improvement of children with NDD. This paper aims to investigate whether children with NDD living in Cairo have access to landscape and outdoor green spaces, which leads to better outcomes in behavioral improvement. The behavioral improvement of children with NDD is assessed by Children's Behavior Checklist CBCL, Parents questionnaire, and therapists’ questionnaire using a sample of 34 middle class children with NDD living in eastern Cairo between the ages of 6 to 11 years old. In cooperation with Al-Yusr Association for special needs- Maadi, and Panda Rehabilitation Academy- Qattameya, Cairo. Data collected is analyzed by using quantitative analysis. Children with NDD who have access to green spaces, and spend more than five hours weekly in outdoor green spaces, show positive responses to behavioral therapy compared to children with NDD who have no chance to have adequate access to the landscape. Also, Taking therapy sessions in an outdoor green space or a room that has a window exposure to green space leads to positive outcomes in tackling the behavior of children with NDD. Conclusions: Access to outdoor green space affects NDDs children’s behavior positively.