First in Israel: Emergency Room Adapted for Children on the Autism Spectrum | Exclusive

At Laniado Medical Center, in partnership with ALUT, the first pediatric emergency department in Israel adapted for children on the autism spectrum and children with disabilities has been launched. The initiative includes staff training, adapting the treatment environment, and research with Tel Aviv University, aiming to improve quality of care and serve as a model for other hospitals.

At Laniado Medical Center, in partnership with ALUT, the first pediatric emergency department in Israel adapted for children on the autism spectrum and children with disabilities has been launched. The initiative aims to address the challenges that a regular emergency department environment poses for these children, including noise, bright lighting, crowding, and unexpected touch. It includes training medical staff in autism, trauma, and adapted communication, adapting the treatment environment with a sensory-regulating Snoezelen room, regulation and distraction tools, and digital tools to prepare families. Additionally, a joint study with Tel Aviv University will examine the model's impact on quality of care. Dr. Hagit Foran-Feldman, director of the pediatric emergency department, notes that one in ten children arriving at the ER needs a different approach, and until now there has been no dedicated training for this. ALUT's CEO, Dedi Atas, emphasizes the importance of parents' knowledge and their involvement in the process. Laniado hopes the model will be adopted in additional hospitals across the country.