autism spectrum testing for children wheatland ca

#Autism spectrum testing for children wheatland ca how to
#Autism spectrum testing for children wheatland ca software

An emergency medical responder cannot use typical tactics to calm this person, such as asking questions or using touch, as this will likely worsen the individual’s behavior and the first responder might assume they are being noncompliant or even threatening. These environments can cause them to react by yelling, running away, resisting assistance, or hitting and kicking.

#Autism spectrum testing for children wheatland ca how to

When first responders and emergency services don’t know how to properly handle these cases, there is a higher risk of making the situation more dangerous than it has to be.Įmergency situations are extremely overwhelming and distressing for individuals with ASD.

Children with autism are also prone to escaping from their parents, running away, and hiding in small spaces. Individuals who have autism are seven times more likely to have interactions with police and are 160 times more likely to die due to drowning. “They may be using their hands, wringing their hands, and it may look like someone who’s in crisis in some way,” said Chief Deputy Jon Snowden of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department. This lack of knowledge and training can lead to dangerous mistakes or delay the time in which that person can be moved away from a dangerous situation.Īutism training for first responders is so important because it brings awareness to autism and this awareness alone can prevent horrible misunderstandings that cannot be reversed.Īn individual with autism will very likely display behavior that, if untrained in this area, first responders could easily mistake as guilt, suspicious activity, or they might assume the person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and they also may not approach that person in an effective way if they need to conduct a physical examination or physically assist the person away from a dangerous situation. Unfortunately, the majority of first responders are not receiving enough training in order to understand autism and know how to approach these individuals during emergencies. While ASD is unique for each individual, it generally causes significant challenges in the areas of social and behavioral development along with communication. This saying illustrates the complexity of ASD and how it affects everyone very differently. A common saying in the autism community is “if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism”. The CDC states that 1 in every 44 children is diagnosed with autism.ĪSD can be a tricky disorder to identify and treat due to the fact that it creates a completely unique experience for each impacted individual. We will share a combination of stories of interacting with someone with autism under duress and how various first responders have thought training was helpful for their departments.Īutism training for first responders helps to understand autism spectrum disorder, recognize someone that might be on the autism spectrum, how to interact with them, and how to best manage risk in high-stress situations with someone on the spectrum.Īutism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is rapidly becoming one of the most common disorders in the United States. These behaviors include things such as avoiding eye contact, being unsteady on their feet, appearing agitated or pacing, not complying with directions, and being sensitive to touch. These factors, along with the communication challenges that are associated with the disorder, means that there is a lot of opportunity for confusion and actions that can be misinterpreted or can cause additional escalation during emergency situations. People with autism tend to react differently and get overwhelmed more easily than neurotypical individuals due to various sensory sensitivities. Whether a first responder has training in how to approach someone with autism can make a huge difference for many families at crucial times. “I hope all first responders, from police officers to EMTs, and indeed the whole of society, learn about severe autism, not just TV-version autism.” – Adrienne, mother of a daughter on the autism spectrum, helped by an off-duty police officer to avoid harm to her daughter during a meltdown. Special Report: Building a Strong Network of Support for the Autism Community.

#Autism spectrum testing for children wheatland ca software

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