Creating a Safe and Inclusive Healthcare Space for the Neurodiverse: The Honickman Center Specialty Pavilion Story
As a part-time ceramic studio worker and songwriter, Natasha Black enjoys fashion design and hair braiding in her free time. She identifies as autistic and appreciates when people take the time to understand her. Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at 11 years old, Black struggled to understand her behaviors and reactions back then. Now, at 29, she has developed tools and strategies to manage overwhelming situations and keep herself calm.
Despite these coping mechanisms, Black still feels anxious and misunderstood in busy and noisy healthcare waiting rooms and offices. This frustration led her to express concern about miscommunication and instances where people struggle to understand her. The average person is considered neurotypical, but an estimated 15-20% of the global population are neurodivergent, with diagnoses like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other intellectual or developmental challenges. These individuals experience the world differently but often find that the world is not accommodating to their needs.
Recognizing this need for inclusion, Jefferson Health collaborated with physicians and designers to create the Honickman Center specialty pavilion in Philadelphia. This initiative aims to build a neurodiverse healthcare space that caters to a larger portion of the population. By considering the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals, they hope to set a new standard in healthcare design and inspire others to follow suit.
