How quiet headphones and visual guides help autistic patients get better health care
|Philadelphia (CNN)For most people, a visit to the doctor is fairly routine. But for individuals with autism, it can be a harrowing experience.
Autism causes greater sensitivity to one’s surroundings, so an unfamiliar or busy environment like a doctor’s office or hospital can be overwhelming. People with autism can have difficulties communicating, making it a challenge to answer questions or describe their symptoms to medical staff — so problems can be harder to diagnose.
Dr. Wendy Ross wants to remedy this situation. As director of Jefferson Health’s newly established Center for Autism and Neurodiversity, she’s helping make health care more accessible to those on the spectrum.