Designing Comfort: Special Experiences for Kids with Sensory Needs

In this episode, we explore what it takes to design pediatric care that truly meets children where they are, especially those with sensory sensitivities, autism, and anxiety.Healthcare operator Missy Krasner shares perspective from decades across government, big tech, venture capital, and digital health, reflecting on why real innovation in healthcare often comes down to execution, empathy, and sustainability.We then hear from leaders at Children’s Wisconsin, including Anita Norton, Lisa Boettcher, and Jill Wiench, who describe the hospital’s Let’s Cope Together program, an approach that proactively gathers family insight to personalize hospital experiences for children with sensory processing needs. Dr. Sean Antosh, Chief Medical Wellness and Engagement Officer at Dayton Children’s Hospital, explains how adaptive sensory environments have dramatically reduced the need for pre-operative sedation and improved outcomes for neurodiverse patients.Together, these conversations reveal how thoughtful design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and listening to families can reshape pediatric care, without relying on technology alone.Episode Resources:Let’s Cope Together (LCT) program at Children's WisconsinDayton Children’s sensory program sets the gold standard for patient careConnect with Missy Krasner:Missy Krasner LinkedInConnect with Children's Wisconsin:Children's Wisconsin WebsiteChildren's Wisconsin LinkedInChildren's Wisconsin InstagramConnect with Dr. Sean Antosh:Dr. Sean Antosh LinkedInDayton Children's Hospital WebsiteDayton Children's Hospital LinkedInDayton Children's Hospital InstagramConnect with us:KidsX WebsiteKidsX LinkedInChildren's Hospital L.A. WebsiteChildren's Hospital L.A. InstagramChildren's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn