Neyado Medical Center Launches Israel’s First ER Tailored for Autistic and Disabled Children

Neyado Medical Center, in collaboration with the Israeli autism organization ALUT, has inaugurated Israel’s first emergency room (ER) specifically adapted for children on the autism spectrum and those with disabilities. This pioneering initiative aims to improve the quality of medical care by training medical staff, modifying the treatment environment, and conducting ongoing research. The project includes sensory regulation rooms, distraction tools, digital aids to prepare families for ER visits, and a joint study with Tel Aviv University to evaluate the model’s impact on children, parents, and medical teams.

The new ER environment addresses challenges faced by thousands of families, where traditional ER settings, with bright lights, noise, and unpredictable contact, often exacerbate distress and complicate treatment for autistic children. Lior, mother of Omri, an autistic child, described how her son would become overwhelmed and try to escape during visits to a conventional ER, making it difficult to provide necessary care.

Dr. Hagit Foren Feldman, head of the pediatric ER at Neyado, emphasized the need for specialized training, noting that one in ten children arriving at the ER requires a different approach due to communication difficulties or disabilities. The adapted ER incorporates calming colors, bubble columns, and soothing music, which have already helped reduce stress and improve cooperation among young patients.

ALUT CEO Dedi Attas highlighted the importance of involving parents, who possess unique knowledge about their children’s communication and triggers, as essential partners in delivering effective care. The initiative hopes to serve as a model for other hospitals across Israel, potentially transforming emergency medical treatment for thousands of children nationwide.

Summary: Neyado Medical Center and ALUT have launched Israel’s first ER designed for autistic and disabled children, featuring specialized staff training and sensory-friendly environments to improve care quality. The project includes research and aims to expand nationwide, addressing a critical need for tailored emergency medical treatment.

Points: - Neyado Medical Center opened Israel’s first ER tailored for autistic and disabled children. - The initiative includes staff training, sensory rooms, and digital tools for families. - One in ten children in ER requires specialized care due to communication or disability needs. - The adapted environment reduces stress and improves cooperation during treatment. - ALUT stresses parental knowledge as vital for effective medical care. - The model aims for adoption in other Israeli hospitals to benefit thousands nationwide.

Topic: health israel_relevant: true entities: {"people":["Hagit Foren Feldman","Dedi Attas","Lior"],"organizations":["Neyado Medical Center","ALUT","Tel Aviv University"],"places":["Israel"]}