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Somers Point council proclaims April National Autism Acceptance Month after Shore Medical Center presentation
Summary
Council unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing April as National Autism Acceptance Month after Shore Medical Center staff described pediatric and adult sensory rooms and planned outpatient services intended to ease hospital visits for people with sensory needs.
The Somers Point City Council on voice vote approved Resolution No. 109 of 2025 recognizing April as National Autism Acceptance Month after a presentation from Shore Medical Center about services for people with sensory needs.
Bob Robertson, representing Shore Medical Center, told the council the hospital opened an inpatient pediatric sensory room in February 2021 and is now expanding services to include an outpatient sensory-treatment room with scheduled visits (launching April 28) and a hard-walled sensory space planned for the adult emergency department. Robertson described features such as communication tools, video and sound machines, sensory toys and weighted blankets intended to calm patients during procedures such as blood draws.
"For a person with sensory difficulties, [a hospital visit] is traumatic and it's terrifying," Robertson said. He said Shore’s pediatric sensory room has been a "tremendous success" and that the new initiatives will offer scheduled outpatient visits and a calmer environment in the adult ED, funded in part through a grant from the Philadelphia Eagles.
The council read and adopted the resolution, which cites CDC prevalence estimates and encourages residents and organizations to promote inclusion and acceptance. Council members praised Shore Medical Center’s initiatives and said the resolution aims to raise awareness and acceptance in community settings such as schools and workplaces.
Outcome: Resolution No. 109 of 2025 was approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Shore Medical Center encouraged the city to publicize the outpatient launch and said staff would share informational materials with the public.
