Greenspace (defined here as canopy coverage) positively correlates with improved well-being in typically developing individuals, but this relationship has not been established in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To investigate this …
Percent tree canopy coverage predicted a decreased risk of severe conduct problems in youth with autism spectrum disorders, but not children with other special health care needs; “gray” space was unassociated with conduct problems in any children.
Children with ASD might experience the stress-reducing benefits of nature differently than their typically developing peers. Both impervious surface coverage and tree canopy coverage increased the risk of severe anxiety in youth with autism, but not CSHCN or typical children.