Staff members of the new A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, the first autism research organization focused on a public health science approach, tour their future office space.

“We’re going to need an autism-friendly building.”

Dr. Jennifer Plumb, a clinical social worker, made this comment mid-way through a tour of the future home of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute on Market Street in University City, Philadelphia.

I had the opportunity to join Plumb, who just began working at the Institute this month as its Outreach Core Director, and several other Institute staff, for a walkthrough of the future space before construction begins next week. (They currently work out of a temporary office in Center City.)

Right now the space leaves a lot to the imagination – a broad concrete floor, exposed ducts, and nothing breaking up the space except a lot of support pillars.

Lindsay Lawer, the Institute’s senior manager, had been…