First Responders' Introduction to Autism (First Responder Training Series)

Hello, my name is Ariana DeAngelis and I am the training manager for the autism project in Johnston, Rhode Island. Hi, I'm officer John Sexton from the Lincoln Police Department in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Hi, I'm Chuck Karboski and I'm a retired fire fighter for the Lincoln Rescue Service, Lincoln, Rhode Island and I'm a father of an autistic individual. Today, one in 44 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder but it doesn't just effect children. Autism is life long and you are going

to encounter both autistic children and adults frequently throughout your career. According to a study from the FBI in 2011, autistic people are 7 times more likely than neurotypical peers to have interactions with police but without an understanding of autism, first responders and bystanders may misinterpret the situation. By learning the signs and characteristics of ASD, we can respond using the tools and strategies we will be talking about there, and in subsequent videos. These tools and stra

tegies can help deescalate situations, and also improve the experience for the autistic individual. So, what characteristics must be present in order to receive an autism diagnosis? According to the American Psychological Association there are two core areas of challenge of different in autism: social communication and interaction (both verbal and nonverbal) and repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, and activities. Let's this about what these challenges and differences might look like in

the field. At some point.... probably at many points throughout your career, you're going to encounter an autistic person that communicates in a different way. Sometimes, they might not be able to communicate verbally. They might use symbol exchange, sign language, or even a device like an iPad to communicate. Others may be able to verbally communicate but may lose that ability during periods of high stress. So, on an average day, that person may have no trouble communicating, but when you're in

teracting with them, they may not be able to speak. You might also encounter someone who can speak but has difficulty understanding what is being said to them. They may agree to everything that you are saying, but keep in mind that they may not understand what they are agreeing to. Or, in that moment, they may lack the verbal language to say anything other than yes, in that period stress or anxiety. You could say "are you drunk?" to that person, and they may answer yes, even though they are sobe

r. This applies to understanding of verbal commands too. If you tell the person to stand up, they may remain seated, not because they are challenging your authority, but because they either do not understand what you are saying, or in the moment, they aren't able to process verbal language or follow commands. It's not that they DON'T want to do what you're saying, it's that they can't. But no matter an autistic person's ability to communicate, don't speak about them in front of them. If you can,

avoid it. If you need to speak to their caregiver, let them know. Say something like, "I'm just going to go talk to your mom about what's going on so she can help us to help you." Many autistic people have challenges or differences in their use or interpretation of nonverbal communication, meaning body language, tone, and the volume of one's voice. Facial expressions are a huge part of body language, we associate smiling with being happy, frowning with being sad or frustrated, but many autistic

people have difficulty controlling their facial expressions in periods of high stress. You may encounter an autistic person who is extremely anxious or frightened, but is smiling, smirking, or laughing. Imagine pulling someone over for speeding and asking them if they know how fast they are going. The person says nothing and smiles. If you don't know any better, you might think that person is disrespecting you or starting a power struggle. In truth, they may be too anxious or scared. The same i

s true in a medical emergency. You might have someone who is in a lot of pain but is expressing the pain by laughing. Don't assume that your autistic patient or victim is ok simply because their body language suggests that. You may or may not know that eye contact can be challenging or even impossible for some autistic people. Be mindful to not force eye contact. Do not demand that the person look at you while you're speaking to them. It may actually escalate the situation, making the person mor

e anxious, and making it difficult for them to focus on what you are saying. A few more key points about communication. Consider how fast you talk and how often you repeat yourself. Many autistic people require extra processing time to understand verbal directions or information. When asking even seemingly simple questions, like "What is your name?”… give the person 15, 20, or even 30 seconds to answer you before asking again. Don’t make it difficult for the person to respond. That’s a great poi

nt Chuck. And here’s another point. If saying "What is your name?” doesn’t illicit a response, you can also try a fill-in-the-blank. Something like "My name is ___________” And then pause and wait for that person to respond with their name. If you have a white board or a piece of paper, you can also try writing the question down. The person may be able to read what you have written and then answer verbally or may be able to write out an answer. Just remember to speak calmly and slowly and use no

n-threatening body language. This person is in a crisis, or you wouldn’t be there with them. Our best de-escalation strategies include being calm and supportive, and using tools that work to meet an autistic person’s unique needs. Many autistic people also have challenges or differences in an area called "repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, and activities.” Relying on routines and rituals is extraordinarily important for many autistic people. When the Autism Project trains teachers and

parents, they always talk about making the day as predictable as possible for the people they support. But what could be MORE unpredictable than an emergency event? Many autistic people will be incredibly anxious as a result of an interaction with you. Imagine trying to pull a person over but following them all the way to their house before stopping the car, because that is their daily routine. Autistic people have also been known to confess to crimes, not because they committed them, but becaus

e they were looking to get out of the unpredictable situation in any way possible without considering the consequences. In fire rescue, it’s important to realize that this attachment to routine may even motivate an autistic person to run back into a burning building. When being inside their home is what they know to feel familiar and safe, they may go back inside to return to that familiar routine. And once inside, they may hide, even in places you would not think to look. Always stay vigilant w

hen doing a search and remember to look in places that you might otherwise dismiss as unlikely hiding spots. You will also likely encounter autistic people who have a high interest in a particular area or areas. These interests could be anything, from cartoon characters to shows and movies, to maps, transportation systems, space, dinosaurs, art, and engineering. If you can, learn what the person’s interest is! You may be able to calm them by talking about it! Knowing this interest or interests c

an be really helpful in the event that you are searching for an autistic person who has eloped. For example, if their interest is trains, include train tracks and train stations in your points of search. Another characteristic of autistic people can be repetitive speech, or echolalia. They may repeat lines from movies or shows or may even repeat what you have said back to you. You may encounter people who also focus on repetitive movements or self-stimulatory behavior (called “stimming”) – such

as snapping their fingers, flapping their hands, rocking, jumping up and down, or walking on their tiptoes. They may also use different tools to stim. Even something like a string, rubber band, ribbon, fidget spinner, or squishy toy may be used by the autistic person. What’s important to note here is that, unless it is unsafe to have, please do not take any of these tools away from the person. They are using these tools to keep calm and removing them could escalate the situation. Many autistic p

eople are over or under responsive to sensory input. They may be over responsive to things like loud noises or bright lights. If you know there is an autistic person at the scene, try to arrive with your lights and sirens off. In addition to the obvious lights and sounds, shiny things like badges and sunglasses might be distracting. The noise from your radio might be agitating as well. Try to reduce sensory stimulation as much as possible. Knowing all of the tips and tools we have discussed toda

y and help all of us to be better prepared for encountering autistic people in the field. This preparation is key to improving the experience of the autistic person, and in keeping everyone safe. On behalf of the Autism Project and the Public Safety Special Needs Coalition, I want to thank each of you for taking the time to learn about the unique needs of our community. We look forward to sharing more with you in our next video!