Autism awareness
If your child or someone you know has autism, you’ve learned that these individuals respond to new people and places in largely different ways. Have you ever wondered how your child might fare during a conversation with a deputy, firefighter, or medic if you weren’t there to facilitate?
“Autism doesn’t have the physical indicators other conditions do,” said Sgt. Dan McDonald of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, who trains deputies on how to recognize signs of autism. “Kids with autism may have an aversion to bright lights, loud sounds, and groups of people they are unfamiliar with, and that can be a stressful situation for them.” Those with autism might not respond to commands or questions and may have difficulty expressing themselves. They might not make eye contact and could be extremely adverse to touch.
In October, special legislation went into effect in Florida that will improve the way law enforcement interacts with children and adults with autism. House Bill 39 requires that all law enforcement officers in the state receive specialized training related to autism through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Sgt. McDonald took part in the curriculum workshop for this training, which is now being field tested by Florida Department of Law Enforcement before it can be widely used throughout the state. Sgt. McDonald is confident that the new legislation will continue to improve the skillsets deputies have when it comes to interacting with various individuals in the community.
“I think it’s a win-win to the benefit and safety of the com-munity,” he said. “It’s going to help first responders and families here in Collier County.”
Collier County deputies are ahead of the curve in receiving special training for their interactions with those with autism through the Crisis Intervention Team training program. Sheriff Kevin Rambosk wants 100 percent of deputies to complete the training, which began in 2008 and teaches deputies how to interact with individuals who may show signs of mental illness, autism, or other developmental disabilities. The 40-hour training program is offered four times a year and has been proven to reduce injuries and death to police and individuals with mental illness or other diagnoses. So far, about 500 deputies have received the training.
“We teach recognition and response to autism,” said Sgt. McDonald.If a deputy encounters someone with autism at the scene of a traffic crash, for example, deputies learn to recognize signs that indicate an individual might have autism through their actions, limited communications, or behavior.
If that’s the case, Sgt. McDonald said deputies are trained to give an individual more personal space, to use simple language, and allow extra time for a response.Here are a few things you can do now if your child has autism:
1. Register your child in the C.A.R.E. data-base by contacting Supervisor Angela Larson of the Victim & Senior Advocacy Unit at 239-252-0232, or by email at Angela.Larson@colliersheriff.org.
This database tells deputies about your child’s physical appearance, tendencies, triggers, and preferences and can help locate him or her in an emergency.
2. Have your child outfitted with a Project Lifesaver bracelet, which will monitor his or her location if prone to wandering.
3. Get a free autism sticker for your vehicle. Place this sticker on the window where your child usually sits. The sticker lets first responders know that someone in the vehicle has autism and might be nonverbal.
Contact Sgt. McDonald at 239-252-0921, or by email at Daniel.McDonald@colliersheriff.org, with questions or to request a window sticker.