Guest Column | Golisano Children’s Hospital’s SEA STAR shines light on autism care
Autism impacts more lives in our community than many realize. It is found in our classrooms, neighborhoods, workplaces and homes, shaping daily routines and experiences for countless parents, siblings and caregivers. For many families, it influences how they plan, communicate and support one another every single day. For our entire community, it’s a journey of understanding, learning how to better support, understand and celebrate our differences.
During Autism Awareness Month, we recognize that progress looks different for each person and reaffirm our commitment to building a community where acceptance replaces assumptions, support is accessible and every individual is valued for who they are.
That’s why Lee Health’s Golisano Chil-dren’s Hospital launched a groundbreaking program in 2023 to enhance care for pediatric patients with Autism Spectrum and Sensory Disorders (ASD).
Named SEA STAR, the program seeks to transform hospital care for children with ASD by addressing their unique sensory and communication needs.
What is the SEA STAR
program and how does it help
ASD patients and families?
Autism can make even everyday experiences feel overwhelming and hospital settings are no exception. The SEA STAR program — Safety Education Awareness, Sensory Training – Autism Readiness — was created to make healthcare environments safer, calmer and more supportive for children with autism.
The program includes Florida’s first Certified Autism Center hospital and includes a thorough review of policies to ensure care is truly sensory-friendly. Staff have worked to identify spaces throughout the hospital where autistic patients can feel comfortable, supported and understood.
And when it comes to transportation, SEA STAR goes a step further: the program introduced the state’s first sensory-friendly ambulance. With dimmable lighting, noise-reducing insulation, soothing murals, weighted blankets, fidget tools and even a vertical bubble machine, it’s designed to turn a stressful ride into a calmer, more manageable experience, one we will be replicating in our second sensory-friendly ambulance addition to our four-truck fleet.
Certification as a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards ensures that staff understands the unique needs of autistic patients and their families. Over 80% of physicians, nurses and patient-facing staff completed specialized training on communication, sensory awareness and compassionate care. Golisano Children’s Hospital is only the second full hospital in the world to earn this designation, a milestone that underscores the program’s commitment to truly inclusive services.
How did the SEA STAR program
get started?
About one in 31 children has ASD, according to the 2025 data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet despite its prevalence, autistic children are often underserved in healthcare settings.
That’s where representation and advocacy truly matter. When children see themselves reflected in the spaces where they learn, play and receive care, it sends a powerful message: they belong, their needs matter and they are more than a diagnosis.
Advocacy provides families with a voice in decisions about their child’s health, development and education, ensuring that care is both personalized and inclusive.
What does the SEA STAR program do?
SEA STAR brings together and listens to autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families to improve care with greater effectiveness and empathy. Staff training includes everything from alternative communication methods to recognizing sensory triggers, co-occurring conditions and the lived experiences of children and caregivers.
The sensory-friendly ambulance exemplifies this thoughtful approach. Every feature, from dimmed lights and calming ceiling murals to noise-insulated sirens and soothing sensory tools, is designed to reduce anxiety and create a smoother hospital experience. These small but impactful adjustments can make a significant difference for a child with autism, transforming fear and stress into feelings of safety and support.
SEA STAR is more than just a program; it’s a promise that hospitals can-and should-adapt to meet every patient’s needs. With each child who feels seen, understood and supported, that promise becomes a reality.
From sensory-friendly spaces to specialized staff training and innovative transportation, every thoughtful detail reflects a deeper commitment: creating a community where children with autism can feel safe, understood and valued.
From April 2-10, Golisano Children’s Hospital will be lit in blue to support ASD patients and their families during Autism Awareness Month. This is not just a symbol; it’s a celebration of progress, inclusion and hope for every child and family navigating the journey of autism.
On April 2, Lee Health’s first outpatient practice was scheduled to celebrate becoming an official Certified Autism Center by IBCCES.
Support for patients and families with autism also extends throughout the Golisano system into Collier County with the addition of a sensory room at the Golisano Children’s Health Center, located at 3361 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 201, in Naples.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a physician, please visit leehealth.org.
Alyssa Kasiewicz is vice president and chief nurse of Children’s Services at Golisano Children’s Hospital.