The phrase “special needs” has become an overused catch‑all in our society — often a polite shorthand for saying an individual has challenges.
For the neurodivergent population, it is so much more than that.
“Special needs” can serve as a guide for how the public interacts with individuals in a wide range of settings — the workplace, encounters with public‑safety officials, or, most critically, in health care environments.
CEO Deb Visconi and her team at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center understand this. That’s why, during a ribbon‑cutting ceremony earlier this week celebrating the completion of the hospital’s massively expanded emergency department, Visconi took time to emphasize to the overflow crowd that the facility is a certified autism center.
To be sure, those on the autism spectrum are not all the same — but many benefit from spaces with less noise, fewer sensory triggers and reduced congestion. The ED’s four dozen private rooms provide exactly that.
But they are just a start.
Visconi said the staff has been trained to understand the unique challenges faced by this community — an acknowledgment that the way care is delivered is often just as important to a successful outcome as the care itself, just as it is for kids, seniors, LGBTQ individuals and others.
“We have integrated sensory-conscious design and specialized staff training to better support neurodivergent patients and their families,” she said to an overflow crowd.
The setting itself underscored her point. A neurodiverse individual may not have been comfortable in the undersized tent — just as they wouldn’t be in a chaotic emergency department.
Being in such a scenario can reduce the chances of a proper medical evaluation — or lead to one that isn’t required, simply because the patient does not react in a way a neurotypical individual might.
“Neurodivergent individuals don’t need a psych eval every time they come to the ER,” she said. “That’s not what’s wrong with them. And that’s why it’s so important to train your staff on how to identify them, give them the respectful space so we can do and help them get to the next step, whatever that’s going to back to their community or being admitted because their issue requires them to do so.”
Visconi noted that this training is not limited to the neurodiverse community. She told the group she is proud the new emergency department is one of the few in the region trained in the EMPATH model, which stands for “emergency psychiatric assessment, treatment and healing model” of care.
“We are recognizing something simple but important – emergency care should be tailored, because people are not one size fits all,” she said.
Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell echoed the sentiment.
On the campaign trail, Caldwell said he wanted to be a “voice for the voiceless.”
When he met Visconi, he realized she and her team shared that mission. It’s why he made sure to attend the ribbon‑cutting event.
“Today is much more than opening a renovated space,” he said. “It marks a transformative moment in how emergency care is delivered and how we show up for people at some of the most vulnerable times in their life.
“Emergency Departments are the front doors of our health care system, there were families turn in moments of fear and uncertainty, where children arrive needing immediate care, where older adults seek safety and dignity, and where individual experience and individuals experiencing mental health crises deserve timely and compassionate support.”
Caldwell recognized the neurodivergent community as well, noting the importance of creating environments designed to meet their needs.
“That kind of design reflects values,” he said. “It reflects a belief that equity and health care is essential for all. Gov. Mikie Sherrill and I share a deep commitment to strengthening access to care and improving outcomes across the entire state of New Jersey.
“We believe health care is about access equity and partnership, and about ensuring that where you live or what challenges you face never determine the quality of care that you receive.”
Visconi couldn’t agree more.
Yes, you can count the number of private rooms (four dozen). You can boast about the wait times (an incredible seven minutes from door to doctor). You can note the many technological enhancements. All of it makes the new emergency department at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center a cornerstone for today and a model for tomorrow.
But none of it measures what matters most: empathy and understanding, especially for those who often face the greatest barriers to receiving it.
“This emergency department reflects a more personal and more inclusive approach to care,” she said. “Our staff has been trained on treating the person holistically – and then treating the illness.
“It’s a stigma-free, very empathetic setting in which people will feel dignified.”
