Akron General designated an Autism Friendly Hospital

Cleveland Clinic Akron General has been designated an "Autism Friendly Hospital" by the Autism Society of Greater Akron. The hospital is first in Akron and among the first adult hospitals in the nation to receive the designation.

According to a release from Akron General, the hospital has been seeking the designation since 2017. More than 650 employees have been trained to identify a person with autism spectrum disorder, and caregivers were trained in adapting their approach and using visual supports to achieve better medical outcomes.

The hospital now uses the "Stop. Assess. Support" training curriculum developed by the Autism Society of Greater Akron. The hospital said the training helps build a more inclusive community that accommodates people with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Ninety-two percent of Akron General caregivers who underwent the training said they feel they can now recognize a person with autism, and 94 percent said they felt comfortable with techniques they learned to accommodate patients with autism.

Laurie Cramer, executive director of the Autism Society of Greater Akron, said it's hard for young adults with autism to transition from pediatric providers to an adult setting. This training, she said, helps ease that transition.

"This initiative is designed to help change that here in Akron, so that patients who live with autism are able to get the care they need in a way that works for them," Cramer said. "Autism is often thought of as a pediatric diagnosis, which is why Akron General is one of the first adult hospitals to undergo this type of training."

Along with training, the initiative also provides accommodations like tablets and picture charts that help reduce communication barriers. The Cleveland Clinic said Akron General is also updating its medical records to alert caregivers of a patient's autism. It is also adapting processes to reduce stimuli that can be overwhelming, like having quieter rooms and working to move patients with autism to exam rooms right away, instead of asking them to wait in waiting rooms.

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