Outdoor play is a very important factor in the development of every child. “Outdoor environments are comfortable, supportive, and encourage skill development” (Sachs 4). (Hillmann 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 built for indoor environments and outdoor play can provide them with great benefits (Christensen 1). An example of this is how children with autism benefit greatly from nature. “Playing through nature can help develop the five main areas of proper growth; social/emotional, intellectual, perceptual-motor, physical and sensory development", therefore when designing an outdoor play space for children with disabilities it is essential to have a correct, fun and safe design. All children, including those with disabilities, require special care and attention. Five main areas in which these children need special attention are physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging, esteem and self-actualization. Physiological needs are the physical requirements for human survival, safety needs are what should be met to be kept safe, love and belonging mean being able to feel loved and accepted, esteem is about feeling respected and self-actualization refers to what a person is full of. potential is and the realization of that potential. All these areas are mentioned in Maslow's Pyramid of the Hierarchy of Human Needs, created by Abraham Maslow in 1943 (see addendum one). That said, it is very important that children with disabilities are able to meet all of these areas. This can be done by creating an outdoor environment designed for that...... middle of paper......safe design. Works Cited Atmakur, Sruthi. “The playgrounds of inclusion”. Unicef.org. Casey, Teresa. April 12, 2013. Web. December 1, 2013. http://www.unicef.org/sowc2013/focus_playgrounds_of_inclusion.htmlChristensen, Keith. “Creating inclusive outdoor play environments, designing 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. 2 January 2010. Nemours Foundation. "Playground Safety" KidsHeath.org. Nemours Foundation. June 2013. Web. 15 December 2013. Sachs, Naomi. "Outdoor Environments for Children with Autism and special needs. "Implications. April 25, 2011. Print.