I am curious about what resources are provided to those people who work in our community to respond to emergencies. Do they know the best ways to help our "special" citizens, or might they accidentally make things worse because of lack of training or knowledge?
I am trying to find out the answers to these questions. I always find the internet to be one good source of information and an easy place to begin finding answers.
Here is one article about some local programs:
Copy and paste this URL to read about some Maryland and Virginia counties in the D.C. area:
http://technorati.com/lifestyle/family/article/law-enforcement-training-for-autism-related1/
Here is a link to information about training for first responders:
Copy and paste this URL to read about this training program :
http://www.leanonus.org/trainings.html
This link is about a conference in North Carolina that was held for state law enforcement after a man with autism died while in police custody.
Copy and paste this link to read about it.
http://asa.confex.com/asa/2006/techprogram/S2232.HTM
This newsweek article relates several specific instances of misunderstandings that have happened when law enforcement came into contact with autistic individuals and explains how organizations and concerned citizens are trying to provide better information to officers through training.
Copy and paste this link to read more about it:
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/07/08/is-sitting-while-autistic-a-crime.html
This link is to the Autism Society and is about pamphlets that they offer to assist first reponders and law enforcement.
Copy and paste this URL to see this information:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_safeandsound_firstresponders
So, from my internet search, I am still not clear on what, if any, training has been provided to Maryland state officers, Montgomery county officers, or the city forces of Germantown or Gaithersburg where we would be mostly like to encounter the police. Looks like more research is needed. At least I now know that some of our country's jurisdictions are addressing this issue.
If you know more about this topic, please add your comments.
Postscript: I learned from Craig Schultz of the Autism Socieity of America, that trainings to Montgomery County, MD and Rockville, Md police have been provided by the ASA. Also, Maryland State police have had training in general mental health issues, but not specifically ASD's or developmental disabilities, but that training could be considered in the future.
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