The new center will take autism care to the next level.
The Tom and Jill Zidian Family Autism Center opens in November 2025. Here are the top three things you need to know:
The center will provide a better experience for patients with autism spectrum disorders.
The new center, designed to help patients feel comfortable, is on the first floor of the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute at Akron Children’s. “Parking garages and the Considine Professional Building can be stressful for the families we care for,” said Allison Burke, PhD, child and adolescent psychologist and director of the Akron Children’s Autism Diagnostic Clinic. “Our new facility has close parking and its own entrance. We want families to have an easier time getting to appointments.”
Design elements include soft lighting and soothing colors that won’t overwhelm patients. Nooks are peppered throughout the space, so families can sit down and take a break.
More providers and services will be available.
The autism center will have space for more staff, including another psychologist and mental health therapists. “Many autistic kids and teens also need help with issues like anxiety or depression,” Dr. Burke said. “We have therapists at Akron Children’s who want to focus on helping with those mental health needs — not treating he autism itself — and they will work at the new center.”
A primary care provider will be available for kids who need a sick visit or vaccines. “It can be hard for patients with autism to go to the pediatrician. As a result, they may get behind on vaccines. Or they delay care for a minor problem, and it worsens until they end up in the emergency room,” Dr. Burke shared. “Our on-site pediatrician works well with kids with autism. The goal is not to take patients away from their pediatricians. We want to get patients the care they need now – and hopefully help them work toward feeling comfortable enough to go to a general pediatrician’s office.”
The autism center will expand social skills programming, too. A new preschool program will teach 4- to 6-year-olds how to listen and follow directions; use good volume and body control; and make and keep friends.
Dr. Allison Burke
New processes improve access to care.
Access to autism care is a growing, national problem. “As part of this autism center build, we’ve been changing our processes to make it easier for providers to refer patients,” Dr. Burke said. “We noticed duplicate referrals or providers being confused about who does what related to autism – which led to delays in receiving care.”
Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics and the Autism Diagnostic Clinic are working with Akron Children’s Pediatrics on a new program called “START Local.” It stands for Screening and Testing for At-Risk Toddlers in Local Primary Care. “Sometimes, a pediatrician already knows a child has autism. They don’t need to wait for a full evaluation on the Akron campus,” Dr. Burke explained. “We’re teaching pediatricians in different regions about autism care, so young kids can get diagnosed faster and start the programs they need.
“If a patient screens high risk for autism at a well check, the child would be referred to one of these specially trained Akron Children’s Pediatrics providers,” she continued. “If a child needs specialty care for autism, we would certainly provide it. But having the child’s primary care provider manage autism care when appropriate will reduce the wait times for patients who need a higher level of care.”
After years of planning and dreaming, the autism care team eagerly awaits the center’s opening. “We’re so passionate about the new center,” Dr. Burke said. “We can’t wait to see how it impacts the families who depend on us.”
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