MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) — Atlantic Health’s Morristown Medical Center Gagnon Pediatric Emergency Department at Goryeb Children’s Hospital has been recognized as a Certified Autism Center™ by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, hospital officials announced.
The designation is awarded to organizations whose staff complete autism-specific training designed to better support children with autism and sensory disorders and to improve access to care in clinical settings. The training emphasizes understanding communication styles, sensory sensitivities and behavioral cues, allowing care teams to tailor their approach and reduce stress during emergency visits.
Hospital officials said the recognition reflects recent investments in both staff training and facility design. The Gagnon Pediatric Emergency Department was recently modernized to include patient rooms designed for children with sensitivities to light, sound and other stimuli.
“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,” said Trish O’Keefe, PhD, RN, president of Morristown Medical Center and senior vice president of Atlantic Health. “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.”
In addition to focusing on the needs of children, the training also addresses the experiences of parents and families, who may face heightened anxiety during medical visits. Hospital officials said the goal is to ensure that families feel understood, respected and supported throughout the emergency care process.
“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,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman. “IBCCES is proud to partner with the Gagnon Pediatric Emergency Department and recognize its efforts to foster accessible healthcare experiences for autistic and sensory-sensitive children. We look forward to seeing the impact this certification will have on department staff, patients, and their families alike.”
IBCCES has provided autism, neurodiversity and cognitive training and certification since 2001 for professionals in healthcare, education and other fields worldwide. The organization develops programs specifically for hospitals and emergency departments to better serve children with autism and sensory sensitivities, and also maintains public resources such as AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com, which list certified locations and professionals.
