Copyright cleveland.com
AKRON, Ohio – Akron Children’s Hospital on Tuesday officially opened its new Tom and Jill Zidian Family Autism Center. The 11,020-square-foot center is located at 130 W. Exchange St., on the first floor of the hospital’s Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute. The $3.89 million center was made possible thanks to a $2 million gift from the Zidian family of Youngstown, Ohio. The Zidians were inspired to create the center following their own child’s autism diagnosis, according to the hospital. In the U.S., approximately 1 in 31 children ages 8 and older have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. Though the incidence of autism is increasing, healthcare organizations are also doing a better job of screening and identifying kids, according to Akron Children’s Hospital’s Director of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Jessica Foster. “Having a center for autism really helps the community see how much Akron Children’s values this population,” Foster told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. “I think it says a lot just to have the sign on the building on our main campus.” The new center aims to improve access to care and help families secure services following a child’s diagnosis through age 26. The mission of the center is to create a place where autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities are understood, and to help families find a community that is focused on their child’s growth and healing, according to the hospital. The project was designed by Perspectus Architecture with specialty consultant Thrive Early Learning Center, according to the hospital. Akron Children’s Family Resource Center Specialist Melissa Baker was one of three parents of children with autism who were asked to be on a panel to provide design input for the building. Baker’s son, Korbin, is now 11. He was diagnosed with autism at 4, according to Baker. “Being on the panel took me back to when we sat in the office over at the Considine Building for my son’s diagnosis. That appointment was very emotional for me and very emotional and tiring for my son. I remembered that experience, and I compared it to how they were describing the center; it was just a world of difference. And I left that panel meeting feeling like there would be so much more hope and support over here for families,” Baker said. Baker’s son was among the first people to tour the new center, according to Baker. “His first appointment here is next Monday with his therapist, and he is super excited,” she said. Autism center highlights include: Close parking and easy building access to minimize stress for children and families. A series of doors that are designed to keep kids who are prone to elopement safe. Building design elements that create a calming environment, such as soft lighting, neutral colors and sound-absorbing acoustic materials. Sensory spaces featuring two bubble walls and several touch services to keep children engaged. Developmental spaces with sensory swings and equipment. Corridors with built-in reading nooks to offer patients a place to relax and decompress. Six exam rooms for primary care and 14 rooms for autism assessment, developmental and behavioral therapies and interventions. Artwork in each hallway created by local children who have been diagnosed with autism. “Part of the real vision for the center is to truly improve inclusivity for kids with autism and their families. So, what we mean by that is you don’t necessarily have to come here to this special space. We started working in the past year to improve care around our Akron Children’s network within our primary care sites, including a new project where we’re doing early diagnosis in regional primary care sites. And so, the goal is that this might be a hub and a resource for everyone, but if we can do a good job serving you and supporting you, then you can have physical services provided in your community too,” Foster said. The hospital is also working toward offering specialty medical services at the center, including primary care and specialized primary care for kids with the highest level of need. And the hospital is working with its community primary care practices to design how that referral process will work, according to Foster. “It’s tough when you don’t know which way to turn,” Tom Zidian said in a statement. “We hope the new center will allow kids to get the care they need sooner. Part of the gift is also funding an autism navigator position at (Akron Children’s) Boardman. The navigator will support families and connect them to the resources they need.”
