A New Brunswick family says their autistic son was asked to leave an ER for being disruptive. The hospital cites capacity strain and standard protocols.
Parents Say Child With Autism Removed From ER
A New Brunswick couple says their seven-year-old autistic son was asked to leave a hospital emergency room after being deemed too loud while awaiting treatment for seizures. The incident, which occurred on July 15 at Saint John Regional Hospital, has prompted the family to speak out, calling the experience discriminatory and distressing.
Lorissa and Glendon Kingston say their son Cayden, who is non-verbal, has autism, ADHD, and epilepsy. That day, he had been experiencing frequent absence seizures, prompting them to seek urgent care after consulting with their pediatrician.
Hospital Visit Turns Confrontational
Upon arrival, Cayden was triaged and directed to the children’s rapid assessment zone (RAZ). As they waited, Lorissa said Cayden began vocal stimming—loud, involuntary outbursts common among neurodivergent children—triggered by overstimulation and ongoing seizures.
According to Lorissa, a nurse soon told them that Cayden’s screeching was disruptive and that if it didn’t stop, they would have to leave. When Lorissa explained that her son couldn’t control the sounds, the nurse allegedly insisted they leave anyway.
“We just got up and left,” she said. “It felt like we were being punished for our child’s disability.”
Family Alleges Discrimination
The Kingstons said this was the first time they had been denied care in an emergency room due to Cayden’s behaviour. “We were seeking help for a medical emergency,” Lorissa said. “He was having seizures. This was not a behavioural issue. It was a health crisis.”
The couple now worries that future hospital visits will come with fear and uncertainty. “What if they kick us out again?” she said. “It should never come down to that question when you’re trying to get help for your child.”
Hospital Acknowledges Capacity Strain
In a written statement, the Horizon Health Network expressed compassion for the family but said it could not comment on specific patient cases due to privacy regulations.
Pam Power, Horizon’s clinical executive director of emergency medicine, noted that the Saint John Regional Hospital’s emergency department was operating at 206% capacity that day. She emphasized that Horizon’s triage protocol does not deny care to any patient and that staff are encouraged to accommodate neurodivergent individuals when possible.
“We aim to provide compassionate, inclusive care to all patients,” Power said. “This includes efforts to offer quieter spaces and to support those with communication or behavioural challenges.”
Previous Experiences Offer Contrast
Lorissa said that in past ER visits, staff had placed Cayden in a separate room when he exhibited vocal stims but never turned them away. She shared that she emailed the hospital’s patient relations department on July 15 but has yet to receive a response.
“This time, no one tried to find a solution. We were just told to leave,” she said.
Parents Seek Change, Not Apologies
The Kingstons say they are not only speaking out for their son but for all families with neurodivergent children. They hope their story prompts policy changes and improved staff training across the province’s hospitals.
“We’re not looking for an apology—we want action,” Lorissa said. “There are many kids like Cayden. This should never happen to another family again.”
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