Project Spectrum

People on the autism spectrum tend to be unusually strong visual and spatial thinkers, making 3D design a great fit. The SketchUp team increasingly started to hear how SketchUp was changing the lives of people on the autism spectrum. Once that connection was made, Project Spectrum was formed.

Project Spectrum offers SketchUp, along with free training, to students and adults with autism, enhancing their 3D modeling skills and self-expression. Since 2007, it has boosted students' self-confidence, educational success, and career readiness.

For some children on the spectrum, including those who are nonverbal, SketchUp offers as a way to share their thoughts through images. Other participants learn life skills that help them to achieve educational and career goals they might not have otherwise considered, all the while building a supportive community.