A visit to the emergency room can be stressful for most people, but that anxiety is amplified for someone with autism.
Here in the Capital Region, Ellis Hospital has a special kit for people seeking care.
It includes a weighed blanket, fidget spinners and noise-cancelling headphones.
What You Need To Know
- Ellis Hospital has implemented sensory friendly boxes for people with autism who visit their ER
- The kits include a weighted blanket, fidget toy and noise-canceling headphones
- Last year, Ellis Hospital became the first certified Autism Center Emergency Room
Last year, Ellis Hospital became the first certified Autism Center Emergency Room. Their rooms provide sensory friendly treatment areas with elements such as dimmer lights and quieter noise levels.
Some of the medical staff also have to undergo training to better assist patients.
"Some of the most important things of the training is that everyone is different...and take your cues from the staff or family members that brought the patient in. Because that's the best way to prevent any mistakes early on, which then complicates the rest of the visit,” says Robert McHugh, department chair for emergency medicine.
One study found kids who have autism can be nine times more likely to make a trip to the emergency room.
