Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center’s Gagnon Pediatric Emergency Department (PED), located in the Goryeb Children’s Hospital, has been recognized as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) by The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
This designation signifies that the department’s clinical team has completed specialized, autism-specific training aimed at making pediatric health care services more accessible and less intimidating for children with autism and sensory sensitivities.
The inclusive training focuses on understanding the unique communication styles, sensory sensitivities, and behavioral cues that autistic children may exhibit. By mastering these supportive skills, the care team can tailor their approach to reduce potential sources of stress for the child. This includes:
- Using clear, direct communication.
- Providing visual support and sensory accommodations.
- Employing calming techniques when necessary.
“We are incredibly proud of our team’s efforts to earn the status of a Certified Autism Center, as it reflects our ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality care for every pediatric patient,” Trish O’Keefe, president, Morristown Medical Center and SVP, Atlantic Health said. “We devote ourselves to caring for the unique needs of children with autism and their families by cultivating a supportive environment, which is especially important when faced with stressful situations such as emergency care.”
The hospital has also implemented structural changes, including patient rooms in the recently modernized Gagnon PED specifically designed for children with light, sound, and other sensitivities.
Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman, praised the commitment of the New Jersey facility.
“Designating Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center’s Gagnon Pediatric Emergency Department as a Certified Autism Center highlights the department’s ongoing commitment to providing supportive care for every child,” Pincomb said.
The specialized training also emphasizes supporting the family unit. By ensuring staff are compassionate and well-versed in best practices, the hospital aims to reduce the heightened anxiety often experienced by parents of autistic children during medical visits.
IBCCES has been a leader in neurodiversity training since 2001, creating programs specifically for medical professionals to better support this growing, yet often underserved, part of the community.
