Jefferson Health Expands Neurodiversity‑Friendly Care and Facility Design

Dr. Karen Lindgren, chief clinical officer at Bancroft, stresses that understanding the reasons behind neurodivergent behavior is essential for effective support. She advocates a whole‑person approach that looks beyond diagnosis to strengths, communication styles, and environmental needs.

Jefferson Health’s Center for Autism and Neurodiversity, led by Dr. Sahil Patel, has applied this philosophy by redesigning exam rooms, waiting areas and other spaces with sensory‑friendly furniture, privacy screens, rocking chairs and meditation zones. The changes aim to reduce overstimulation and make medical visits more accessible for people with autism, ADHD, sensory sensitivities and other neurological differences.

Both initiatives reflect a broader shift in healthcare, workplaces and public venues toward inclusive design, recognizing that masking and environmental mismatch can harm mental health and limit participation for neurodivergent individuals.