Can Hospitals and Medical Settings be Neuro-Affirming Wendy Ross

EPISODE 134
Can Hospitals and Medical Settings
be Neuro-Affirming?
with Wendy Ross, MD

Play the Episode…

Show Notes

As a developmental pediatrician, Dr. Wendy Ross serves patients who are autistic and neurodivergent and their families, but her work goes well beyond direct clinical care. She believes in having an impact on community understanding, support and inclusion for all people with neurodevelopmental differences. Barry, Dave and Wendy discuss  many of her initiatives in the community and at Jefferson Medical Center in Philadelphia, and the types of supports that truly improve quality of life for neurodivergent and autistic children and adults, and their families.

Featuring

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Wendy Ross, MD

Wendy Ross, MD, FAAP is a clinical professor, developmental pediatrician, and the inaugural director of Jefferson Health’s Center for Autism and Neurodiversity, (JeCAN). She graduated from Mt Sinai School of Medicine and completed Pediatrics residency at Yale and Developmental Pediatrics fellowship at Harvard. In her clinical practice, she works with children to clarify and support their development, integrating medical, educational, and therapeutic plans into a cohesive approach. Through JeCAN, she supports neurodivergent individuals, including those with often invisible challenges such as intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan. Her work focuses on improving community belonging by advancing neurodivergent-friendly healthcare, design, and everyday experiences. She additionally has pioneered autism inclusion programs at museums, and sporting events, in addition to other settings. Dr. Ross has pioneered inclusive game day programs with all of Philadelphia’s major sports teams, along with initiatives that make air travel more accessible for neurodivergent individuals. In 2014, Dr. Ross was recognized internationally as a top 10 CNN hero.

…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

1) What are some of the challenges faced by families and neurodivergent individuals seeking medical and health related services. How are these challenges being addressed in Wendy’s work? Have you experienced these challenges directly?

2) Wendy notes that there is a great need for health care centers to integrate community, design and health care so that the processes and the built environments are addressed when creating opportunities for autistic and neurodivergent individuals. How important do you think this is, and what are some of the examples that Wendy cites that she is involved in?

3) Wendy states that in her work outside of medical settings, such as with museums and professional sports teams, most other people “want to do right”. So she believes not only in presuming confidence for autistic and neurodivergent individuals, but also presuming confidence in the general public when offered opportunities to support those who need extra support and understanding. Has this been your experience

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.