Emergency Responders

With the staggering number of children being born on the Autism spectrum, one sector that absolutely needs to understand how these children process information and respond to situations is public safety. First and emergency responders are not trained to recognize and handle the unique physical and behavioral symptoms of Autistic patients or victims, which are likely to be exacerbated by a crisis or injury.

Why Emergency Responder Training is Needed

Many children on the Autism Spectrum have no visible signs of a disorder. An average child in appearance with socially unacceptable behavior that no one understands can lead to a nightmare if public safety is involved. Your child may get pushed around, put in jail, injured, or worse.

“Debi,
Recently I was providing first aid at a community event and a woman came to me and advised that her son was missing. Her son has Asperger’s Syndrome and had wandered off from where he was told to stand. I immediately began looking for the child and remembered all of the information on how to deal with Autistic kids that I had learned from you. As a public safety professional the information that you provide is great for us to know. Thank you so much.
Just to let you know, the child was found safe.”
Beth Burgess
Deputy Director
DeKalb Emergency Management Agency

“Now that I am an EMT, I soaked even more of your information in because we didn’t cover it in class.  And I do a lot of Search and Rescues and Lost Child missions with the Guard and all of that info kept running through my mind on how it might be helpful in certain situations I encounter.  Keep up the good work!”

~A.R.

“Hello Debi- I just returned from a busy week of workshops for nurses and daycare providers. Just wanted to let you know that your handouts (credited, of course) were VERY well received. Thank you. Nurses particularly enjoyed learning from a parent of a child with autism about how to handle children during a crisis or illness.

Just thought you would want to know that your “spirit” has touched many this week.

”

~Louise (SigningFamilies.com)

It’s vital for emergency responders to identify the signs and behaviors of Autism and learn how to make your child feel as safe and non-threatened as possible to avoid a perilous outcome. Police Officers, Firefighters, and EMTs learn about alcoholics, diabetics, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation. With as many as 1 in 70 children being diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum today, the time has come for everyone to understand!

Spirit of Autism trains and counsels Firefighters, EMTs, First Responders, Police Officers, ER Staff, C.E.R.T. groups, and Disaster Responders about Autism and how to identify and communicate with Autistic patients or victims.

Please contact Debi@SpiritOfAutism.org or call 404.939.6211 to book a workshop, training session, or speaking engagement with Debi Taylor.

These FREE downloads are specifically tailored for C.E.R.T. groups in disaster medical and search and rescue situations.

How to Respond to Victims with Autism in a Disaster

What Is Autism? Quick Fact Sheet

Quick Facts for Disaster Medical Response

Quick Facts for Search and Rescue or Fire Situations