Resources for Neurodiverse Patients at Carrie Tingley Children’s Hospital

Various teams at UNM Hospital (UNMH) have worked together to create resources for our neurodiverse patients and their families as part of our broader commitment to reducing healthcare disparities and improving care. As we aim to enhance the care experience for neurodivergent patients we have created sensory kits, videos to familiarize patients with clinical spaces, and can offer workforce training to ensure a more comfortable and informed experience. These efforts are aligned with UNM Hospital’s mission to create a more inclusive healthcare environment and address the unique needs of all of our patients

In 2023 UNMH met with community members across Bernalillo County as part of gathering community feedback for our Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). During these meetings, we asked attendees what services, tools, and resources they need to achieve the best health outcomes. We also wanted to learn more about the barriers our patients and their families face when trying to do so.

Here are the key reasons why UNM Hospital is providing these resources:

  • Reducing Disparities:The CHNA emphasizes the Hospital’s commitment to reducing inequities that lead to disparities in healthcare. Individuals with autism often face challenges in accessing appropriate care due to lack of accommodation or understanding within the healthcare system. UNM Hospital’s objective is to address this gap by improving the care experience for neurodivergent patients, specifically those with autism.
  • Increasing Staff Awareness:UNM Hospital is committed to ensuring that physicians and healthcare staff are equipped with the knowledge to provide culturally informed and appropriate care to all of diverse patient populations. The Hospital has developed training and resources specifically focused on improving care for patients with autism. This includes training on the use of sensory kits for patients with autism and providing workshops for all staff with the intention of increasing understanding and ability to offer care that is more appropriate.
  • Improving the Care Environment:Recognizing that unfamiliar clinical settings can be especially stressful and overstimulating for patients with autism. We developed a webpage with videos and resources to help patients with autism become familiar with clinical experiences before they even enter our facility.
  • Enhancing Health Care Delivery:UNM Hospital is expanding resources to better serve our patients with disabilities by that healthcare is inclusive and thoughtful. By providing sensory tools and enhancing the understanding of autism among our workforce, we continue to strive toward creating a more patient-centered environment that reduces barriers to health services.

Autism Resource Videos

For more information email unmhce@salud.unm.edu.