Challenges for neurodiverse children in acute medical hospitals and opportunities for the new National Children’s Hospital to be ‘neurodiversity-friendly’

Neurodiversity refers to the variation in human cognitive, sensory, and communication experiences and reframes deficits as differences. Rates and duration of hospitalisation in neurodiverse children are higher compared to their neurotypical peers. Despite increased admissions, paediatric medical hospitals are poorly equipped to adequately support their unique cognitive, sensory, behavioural, and communication needs, which can have negative impacts on the experiences of patients, families, and staff. The literature supports several innovative and inclusive strategies, which present exciting opportunities for Ireland’s new National Children’s Hospital (NCH) to become a ‘neurodiversity-friendly paediatric hospital’.