Shore Medical Center donated sensory kits to the Sea Isle City Emergency Medical Service to help EMTs best support neurodiverse patients in a medical emergency. In addition, Shore is providing a state-certified training course to teach EMTs how to use the sensory kits and understand the needs of neurodiverse patients. Pictured left to right is Thomas Burns, Sea Isle City EMT; Sherri Richmond, MSN, RN, Administrative Director of Emergency Department, Pediatrics and Respiratory, Shore Medical Center; Sea Isle City EMS Chief Bruce Knoll; and Michael Smith, RN, ED Clinical Development Supervisor & Pediatric Nurse Liaison, Shore Medical Center.
Shore Medical Center has donated three fully stocked sensory kits to Sea Isle City Emergency Medical Services (EMS), helping first responders better support patients with sensory sensitivities during ambulance transport. Each kit is designed to meet the needs of neurodiverse individuals—particularly those on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing differences—and will remain onboard Sea Isle ambulances as a tool for EMTs and paramedics.
The sensory kits include noise-canceling headphones to help block overwhelming sounds, shaded safety glasses to reduce visual overstimulation, a weighted blanket to provide gentle pressure and soothe anxiety, fidget and sensory toys to provide calming tactile input, and laminated communication boards to help nonverbal patients express their needs. Items in the kits are intended for patients to keep, and Shore will continue to supply new items as they are used.
In addition to the kits, Shore will provide Sea Isle EMS with a state-certified training course focused on caring for patients with sensory needs. The training will help EMTs understand how to use of each item in the kit, and how to create a more calming environment for neurodiverse patients.
Sea Isle EMS Chief Bruce Knoll expressed the significance of this initiative, both professionally and personally.
“We have quite the population of both visitors and year-round residents with sensory needs, so having these kits on our ambulances is an important asset that helps our staff provide quality care. It’s also personally meaningful to me—I have a son with sensory needs, so this ensures we’re equipped to care for people like him.”
In addition to the kits, Shore is also providing Sea Isle EMS with a state-certified training course focused on caring for patients with sensory needs. “This will help our EMTs understand how to use the kits, what tools are included, and how to best treat these patients,” Chief Knoll said. “Our partnership with Shore has been great—we transport a lot of patients there, and we consistently get positive feedback between our crews and their emergency department about how we can continue to improve care.”
Sherri Richmond, Administrative Director of the Emergency Department, Pediatrics and Respiratory at Shore Medical Center, emphasized the hospital’s broader commitment to sensory-friendly care.
“At Shore, we recognize how critical it is to work hand-in-hand with emergency providers like Sea Isle EMS to ensure neurodiverse patients receive the compassionate, appropriate care they need,” Richmond said. “This partnership reflects Shore’s broader mission—from our sensory-friendly programs in both pediatric and adult emergency care to outpatient testing. By equipping first responders and sharing our expertise, we’re improving the patient experience for some of our most vulnerable community members.”
This donation and training initiative reflects Shore Medical Center’s continued investment in community partnerships that elevate patient care beyond hospital walls.
