New autism center will help patients reach their full potential

(L-R) Akron Children’s President and CEO Chris Gessner; donors Tom and Jill Zidian; and Drs. Jessica Foster, Sarah Delahanty and Allison Burke cut the ribbon to open the new Autism Center.

Walk into the Tom and Jill Zidian Family Autism Center, and you can “feel” the soothing and safe environment. The new facility helps the care team work together better and give special support to kids with autism and their families.

About the new center

Clinicians, patient families and the design team worked together to turn the space into a therapeutic tool. “We used soft colors, gentle lighting and sound-absorbing materials to keep things calm,” said Dr. Allison Griesmer, child and adolescent psychologist. “We added nooks in the hallways where families can rest – and the nooks have textured walls kids can touch to help them feel better.”

Dr. Allison Griesmer

The Autism Center is located at 130 W. Exchange St. in a renovated area of the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute on the Akron Children’s campus. The $3.89 million project received generous financial support from donors Tom and Jill Zidian.

After a Nov. 7 grand opening event for Akron Children’s employees and donors, the center opened to patient families on Nov. 11. Check out the open house video below.

Coordinated care

Autism Center programs help kids of all ages and their families. Parents can learn how to understand their child’s autism diagnosis or how to manage tough behaviors. Special programs for young kids and teens teach them how to get along with others and make friends.

Child psychologists, developmental-behavioral pediatricians and speech therapists work together in the Autism Diagnostic Clinic to provide team evaluations for patients who may be on the autism spectrum. The team has worked hard to decrease evaluation wait times, with the average wait for families around 6 months from referral date.

Motor skills and early start developmental rooms have sensory swings, toys and other tools to help kids learn and grow. “Patients with autism can receive occupational and speech therapy here in the new center,” Dr. Griesmer said. “Our large campus can feel overwhelming to patients with autism. Now, their families can park close to our door, come right into the Autism Center and get a variety of services in one place.”

Patient Korbin Baker checks out the Autism Center therapy swing.

On-site primary care is also available, offering everything from sick visits and wellness checkups to vaccines. Patients receive the primary care services they need, with a long-term goal of helping them feel comfortable going to a general pediatrician’s office.

Mental health therapists at the Autism Center help kids with issues such as anxiety and depression. Individual and family therapy addresses emotional, behavioral and social challenges kids with autism may face.

Navigators provide support and guidance, such as helping families access community resources or coordinate their child’s care at school.

A true team effort

“Many people provided input for the Autism Center, and we’re beyond grateful. After years of planning, the facility has turned out even better than we hoped,” Dr. Griesmer said. “But what’s really great is bringing so many services together under one roof. It’s a new level of personalized care and convenience – in a welcoming, inclusive environment.”