Expert: Trey McGowan - 2/5/2009

Question
I am designing a building for children with Autism. I know that there was a problem with the flicker of fluorescent lighting creating a strobe effect. I don't know if that is still the case with the newer fluorescents with electronic high frequescy ballasts. Has there been any recent studies? The new energy codes make it impossible to use incandescent lighting.

Answer
Hi there, Eric!

This question genuinely puzzled me when I first saw it. For a moment, I thought that you were thinking of epileptics, rather than autistics. Then I went and did a little research and realized the reason this is an issue: the lights' flickering on the raw perceptive edge that so many autistic children have. Many autistic children (and adults for that matter) perceive the flickering of the lights, which can be extremely distracting, and even nearly painful; like being in a room with a small strobe on constantly. Which you, yourself, are aware of (and I give you applause for that) but others reading the answer later may not be. :)

I've been checking research on the subject in the past couple days. I can say for sure that this is somewhere I wish there *would* be more studies done. It seems as if, after discovering the problem, everyone just went and let it be that way. Rather than looking for a lot of comparisons, 'fluorescent lighting is bad' is the last word. What few studies I have found seems to be linking the main issue with autistic children is that they are perceiving the fluorescent light's cyclic flickering; a perception that even some non-autistic people have, but is far, far more prevalent in the autistic world for.... some reason (as I said: I wish there were more studies here).

One of the issues I see is that the lower end of the new fluorescent light's cycle is, as with the old ones, 60hz. This tends to be at the end of the bulb's life, so you would need to be changing the bulbs much more frequently than normal. However, I have yet to find any study, or any information, where people talk about the big difference that the new fluorescent lights have made in their autistic child. The plus side, I have yet to hear about the *bad* that they have been, specifically.

I really wish I could be more help on this one, but unfortunately the answer to your question seems to be that no. There have not been any studies at all about it. And with the new upcoming laws making fluorescent lighting mandatory, we may find out soon enough just how effective, or ineffective, these bulbs are in helping those who are bothered by the lighting, both the ASD individuals and those off the spectrum.

If I come across anything, I will be sure to adjust this answer. Hopefully others who may have found something can send it here as well. Until then, all I can say is that any questions, comments, feedback, and follow-ups are welcome, and I wish you the best in the design of your building.

Trey