Assemblyman Santabarbara, Chair of the Assembly’s Sub-Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorders, announced the opening of a sensory-friendly emergency room that seeks to improve the medical diagnosis and treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum and related disorders in hospitals and emergency rooms.

The project is the state’s first pilot program of its kind, a proposal developed by Assemblyman Santabarbara and funded in last year’s state budget. With its completion, it will establish the state’s first sensory friendly emergency room and integrated autism response team training pilot program to better serve patients with autism. The integrated sensory friendly emergency room will provide for the sensory needs of patients with autism and their families. The treatment areas provide a quieter setting, dimmed lighting and a number of other sensory items that can make a significant difference in treating patients with autism. Santabarbara partnered with the Senior Team of Ellis Medicine in Schenectady to make the program possible, which is expected to serve as a model for all hospitals in New York State in the future.

“For those on the autism spectrum, special needs can create barriers to accessing health care when needed. It’s a situation I’ve lived through with my son, Michael, and unfortunately it’s something that’s all too real for many families,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “Part of the solution is addressing sensory overload and that’s exactly what the new sensory friendly emergency room at Ellis Medicine is designed to do.”

“These specially designed treatment areas provide for a quieter setting, dimmed lighting and a number of other sensory control measures that can significantly improve outcomes. The specialized training provided for hospital staff will lead to improved diagnosis, treatment and assistance for patients and their families that ensures their unique needs are met to the greatest extent possible,” Santabarbara added. “For children and adults that live with an autism spectrum disorder, little things can make a really big difference. I’m confident that this funding from the New York State Assembly is a smart investment and this program has the potential to change the way we think about special needs in emergency rooms everywhere.”

***SOCIALLY DISTANT EVENT DETAILS***

WHAT: Grand Opening and ‘Virtual Tour’ of new Sensory-Friendly Emergency Room

WHO: Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara;
Paul Milton, President & CEO of Ellis Medicine;
Leslyn Williamson, Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Officer;
Dr. Rob McHugh, Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine;
Marcy Steiner, Vice President/Executive Director, The Foundation for Ellis Medicine;
Amy Nappi, Nurse Manager, Emergency Department

WHERE: Ellis Hospital, 1101 Nott Street, Schenectady, NY
at Rosa Road Emergency Room entrance to Ellis Hospital

(Parking will be available in the Ellis Hospital Rosa Road emergency department garage)

WHEN: 1pm, Thursday, June 4^th, 2020