Autism Friendly Communities for First Responders is a program that provides local First Responders with high-quality, comprehensive training about Autism. Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, and it is likely that in a first responder’s career they will respond to a situation or interact with a person with autism.
Why is this program needed? The prevalence rate of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is rising, and there is increased attention in the media on interactions between individuals with autism and police officers. Research suggests police officers are concerned about appropriately responding to individuals with autism due to a lack of training opportunities or general knowledge of ASD. This program is dedicated to promoting safe and appropriate interactions between first responders and autistic individuals in Central Virginia.
Autism Friendly Communities First Responder Activities
First Responder Autism 101 Trainings. This training was designed to empower first responders with knowledge and confidence to interact with individuals with autism appropriately and, offer prevention and response information and resources to enhance awareness and safety.
Sensory Friendly Safety Fair. Partner with ASCV to host a resource fair with first responders, and community partners to support children on the autism spectrum and their families by making them aware of resources, connecting them to help, and familiarizing them with first responders.
Law Enforcement Safety Seminar. Partner with ASCV to host a safety seminar for teens and adults with autism to practice what to do during interactions with first responders, discuss issues and practice scenarios.
Projects are supported by Grant No. 15PBJA-23-GG-04253-MAPX awarded by the Bureau
of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
Contact Us to Get started!
Please email Community Engagement Director, Debra Holloway at [email protected] or call 804-259-3188
What We Have Learned
In preparation for providing this program, ASCV surveyed over 700 autistic individuals, their family members, friends and service providers in Central Virginia.
Data collected told us that: *Eighty-three percent (82.7%) of respondents reported that they had called 911 on behalf of their child at least once throughout their lifetime.
*Forty-one percent (40.5%) of respondents reported calling 911 for the first time when their child or loved one was between the age of 11 and 15 years old.
Survey Participant Quotes
“My son got a speeding ticket, and he called me. I was on the phone the whole time. The mental health officer talked to my son on sight, but the officer was harsh and negative to my son right after the mental health officer had him calm down. I thought the ticket officer could have and should have been a bit nicer and or shown some compassion, knowing he was talking to a driver with mental health issues.”
“If law enforcement cannot recognize that an individual is on the spectrum, they will expect the person to respond in a typical fashion – the individual may not be able to do so – and law enforcement may take their response the wrong way.”