Healthy Habits - Autism Programs at Hackensack Meridian Health

Approximately 1 in 31 children in the U.S. and 1 in 29 in New Jersey are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder – a developmental disorder that impacts how a person learns, communicates, and engages with others.

With symptoms generally appearing during the first two years of life, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental screening for all children at 9, 18, and 30 months, with specific autism screening at 18 and 24 months, underscoring the importance of early identification, specialized care and tailored health care services for this population.

Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive health network, has developed a suite of innovative programs to provide families living with autism access to a sensory-friendly and supportive health care environment with services available across its hospitals and outpatient facilities.

"The services we've implemented across our network are a testament to our commitment to treat, understand, and accommodate the individual challenges that children with autism and their families face in a healthcare setting,” said Cristina Farrell, M.D., division chief, developmental-behavioral pediatrics at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. "Our goal is to ensure that all children, including those with autism, receive compassionate and effective care that is attuned to their individual needs."

In addition to an e-learning initiative that has trained more than 10,000 team members - including mandatory participation for pediatric nurses - to better understand autism and learn how to provide a sensory friendly medical environment, Hackensack Meridian Health has implemented key initiatives including:

• Sensory Carts: Sensory carts are available across the network in pediatric spaces, including emergency departments, oncology units, and pediatric intensive care units. These carts are equipped with items such as noise-canceling headphones and other support items to help manage sensory challenges, particularly during stressful procedures like blood draws. Team members are trained to use these tools to create a calmer, more child-friendly interaction.
• Patient Passport - a Journey to "Sensory Friendly Care": The Patient Passport is a document completed by caregivers that provides specific information about a patient's triggers and sensory issues. This allows providers to deliver individualized, sensory-friendly care, fostering a more positive experience for both the patient and their family.
• Epic Coping Tool: After five years of development , this new questionnaire tool will be integrated into the Epic electronic health record system this spring. It will prompt nurses to ask caregivers about a patient’s developmental needs, such as ADHD and autism. If a family chooses to share information about triggers or sensory issues, a blue heart magnet will be placed on the patient's door. This discreet signal will alert all team members to consult with the nursing team to understand the patient's specific needs before entering the room. This tool, which will be available in all inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory settings, originated from a successful pilot Pediatrics program at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital.
• Autism Sprint: This initiative at both children’s hospitals is designed to break down barriers to accessing a developmental-behavioral evaluation. By expanding diagnostic capacity, reducing bottlenecks, and prioritizing young patients who demonstrate possible behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorders, the Autism Sprint aims to significantly decrease wait times for families seeking a diagnosis in order to begin treatment as early as possible.
• “While you Wait:” The “While you Wait” workshop provides families with valuable resources and guidance from the moment they request a developmental evaluation. The workshop explains the evaluation process, fosters shared understanding and helps families determine what services are the right fit. Resources include letters for the school Child Study Team, in addition to early intervention and mental health information to enable access to critical support.

According to Autism Services Manager Michelle Breaud, the team also is exploring cutting-edge initiatives that help identify autism – potentially years earlier than current diagnostic methods.

"Navigating the healthcare system can be incredibly stressful for any family, but for those with a child on the autism spectrum, it presents a unique set of obstacles," said Eileen Dolan, M.D., division chief, developmental-behavioral pediatrics at Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital at Hackensack Meridian University Medical Center. "Our approach is designed to empower families, streamline our processes, and ensure the most vulnerable children receive care sooner. These initiatives, born from successful pilots within our children's hospitals, demonstrate our network's ability to innovate and scale solutions that have a real-world impact on patient care and family well-being."

More information is available at HackensackMeridianHealth.org/Kids.