Empowering Autism-Friendly Urgent Care

Autism significantly impacts over 70 million people worldwide, yet this demographic often faces challenges in accessing consistent and quality healthcare. Individuals with autism and their families often avoid seeking urgent medical care due to communication challenges and discomfort in sensory-rich environments. This avoidance can then lead to emergencies and worsening chronic conditions. It is crucial to address the urgent care challenges faced by patients with autism when seeking acute medical attention. To bridge this gap, our initiative focuses on creating autism-friendly designated centers that enable patients to easily recognize our centers as medical facilities that understand and address the unique needs of individuals with autism. Three key components underpin this designation: online required educational training modules for all staff, sensory accommodations including a sensory kit, sensory room and informative PDF booklet, as well as an online/ in person system through a digital card to signal special requests to the medical team. These three strategies lead to improved patient-healthcare clinician communication, reduction of sensory triggered anxieties and reduction of system level barriers to access the quality medical care that patients with autism need. Through these measures, our initiative accesses state-of-the-art resources and adopts successful models, with the goal of making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with autism and provide them with tools to be able to access urgent healthcare when needed.

Learning Objectives
Understanding and awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder
What it means to become an Autism Friendly Designated center
How this program will enhance your urgent care center through presenting an environment that is welcoming, understanding and inclusive for your neurodiverse patients.
How to create a program that allows for successful implementation of an autism friendly environment in your urgent care.