Event Dates
Location
Online
Justice professionals recognize the need to hone their knowledge about the autism spectrum so that they can react swiftly, safely, and appropriately to a person who has or whom they suspect of having autism. Due to their difficulties in processing the hidden cues in social interactions, the actions and intentions of people with autism may be misunderstood or exploited by others, resulting in calls for police intervention.
Police may also become involved when people with autism wander off, only to become lost and unable to contact their caregivers or advise that they are lost. Medical, fire, and other safety emergencies may be complicated by difficulties in communicating with people on the spectrum, as well as by the sensory sensitivities of autism, which may result in overwhelming anxiety and sensory overload which could appear to be a panicked reaction.
By paying attention to the communicative, social, and sensory needs of the person with autism, as well as to the effects that their own presence and actions may create, we can all help to ensure a safe, positive outcome.
During this session, designed for first responders (i.e., police, fire, and EMS) and other justice practitioners (social services, prosecutors, victim advocates, judicial personnel and probation officers) in mind, participants will learn to:
- Recognize the signs that a person may be on the autism spectrum,
- Explore what an autism diagnosis does and does not mean,
- Acquire a basic awareness of the communicative, social and sensory needs of people with autism and how they may respond to anxiety and stress,
- Understand how to approach and interact with individuals with autism, especially under difficult circumstances.
Police may also become involved when people with autism wander off, only to become lost and unable to contact their caregivers or advise that they are lost. Medical, fire, and other safety emergencies may be complicated by difficulties in communicating with people on the spectrum, as well as by the sensory sensitivities of autism, which may result in overwhelming anxiety and sensory overload which could appear to be a panicked reaction.
By paying attention to the communicative, social, and sensory needs of the person with autism, as well as to the effects that their own presence and actions may create, we can all help to ensure a safe, positive outcome.
During this session, designed for first responders (i.e., police, fire, and EMS) and other justice practitioners (social services, prosecutors, victim advocates, judicial personnel and probation officers) in mind, participants will learn to:
- Recognize the signs that a person may be on the autism spectrum,
- Explore what an autism diagnosis does and does not mean,
- Acquire a basic awareness of the communicative, social and sensory needs of people with autism and how they may respond to anxiety and stress,
- Understand how to approach and interact with individuals with autism, especially under difficult circumstances.
Date Created: February 3, 2021