New Britain’s Hospital for Special Care has a new inpatient unit for children and teens with an autism spectrum disorder who are in acute behavioral crisis. This unit was designed with patient and staff safety as its focus and has all the patient rooms in the line of site of the central staff offices. The space is divided into two smaller units with 6 patients on each side and the staff space is centralized so it can be shared between staff for each side. The central group space is a multi-function room used for dining, activities, and play space. The materials with the unit are designed to be very durable. The signage with in the unit at the patient rooms is done with a caulk board paint so the staff can update the information as they get new patients. The facility also features special sensory rooms, quiet rooms, outside activity area, safe and secure entry and lobby and an autism symbol brick in-lay mosaic at the front entry.
