Outdoor play is a very important factor in the development of every child. “Outdoor environments are both comfortable, supportive, and encourage skill development” (Sachs 4). (Hillman 67). “Positive outdoor experiences can foster happier, healthier, smarter, and better-adjusted children and can create future stewards of the earth” (Hillman 67). Many children with disabilities are mostly structured in indoor environments and outdoor play can provide great benefits (Christensen 1). One example is how autistic children benefit greatly from nature. “Playing in nature can help develop the five main areas of good growth: social/emotional, intellectual, perceptual, motor, physical and sensory,” therefore, when designing an outdoor play space for children, children with disabilities, it is essential to have an appropriate, fun and safe design. All children, including children with disabilities, require special care and attention. . Five major areas in which these children require special attention are physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging, esteem and self-actualization. Physiological needs are the physical requirements necessary for human survival, safety needs are what must be met to stay safe, love and belonging is being able to feel loved and accepted, esteem, it is feeling respected, and self-actualization refers to what a person fully feels. potential is and the realization of that potential. All of these areas are mentioned in Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs pyramid made by Abraham Maslow in 1943 (see addendum one). That being said, it is very important that children with disabilities can address all of these areas. This can be done by creating an outdoor environment designed for those...... middle of paper ...... non-hazardous and safe design. Works Cited Atmakur, Sruthi. “Playgrounds for inclusion”. Unicef.org. Casey, Therese. April 12, 2013. the web. December 1, 2013. http://www.unicef.org/sowc2013/focus_playgrounds_of_inclusion.html Christensen, Keith. “Creating inclusive outdoor play environments designed for ability rather than disability.” adventureislandplayground.org. Christensen, Keith. June 2000.Web. December 14, 2013. http://www.adventureislandplayground.org/Keith.Hillman, Carol. “Creating an Intimate Relationship with Nature” Exchange Children’s Journal. January 2, 2010. Nemours Foundation. “Playground Safety” KidsHeath.org. Nemours Foundation. June 2013.Web. December 15, 2013. Sachs, Naomi. “Outdoor environments for children with Autism and special needs.” Implications. April 25, 2011. Print.