The work aims to improve the teaching care of autistic children and optimize the humanized design of classroom furniture for autistic children. The pictures of teaching area and furniture for autistic children (ASD) at home and abroad were widely collected. Ten representative images of ASD learning area and furniture were selected through the AHP method. The Zaltman Metaphor extraction technology was used in combination with the improved ladder climbing interview method (ZMET) based on the emotional three-level model to construct the mental model of ASD children's teachers, extract the design requirements of ASD children's learning area, and carry out design practice according to the established mental model. The mental model related to the learning area design of special education teachers was established. The mental paths related to the needs, colors, materials and shapes in the mental model were extracted, and the product color, materials and shape design direction were determined. Finally, the desks and chairs with the longest contact time of autistic students were taken as the object for design practice. The feasibility of applying mental model in furniture design is verified, and the design process of constructing mental model based on improved ladder climbing method to promote design innovation is constructed, which provides a method reference for design of classroom furniture for autistic children.