Educational workshops can be an effective way of sharing this important information. Johns Hopkins All Children’s played host to one such workshop in the summer of 2017. The community response was tremendous with nearly 100 first responders from across the Tampa Bay Area and central Florida in attendance.
Providing education about what autism is, medical problems often associated with ASD and common indicators of ASD, particularly those that may be expressed during times of stress, increases the chances situations are handled quickly and safely with minimal additional stress to the child.
Children and teens with autism may have challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. This may include avoiding eye contact, avoiding or resisting physical contact, repeating words or phrases, and/or flapping hands or rocking their body. To someone unfamiliar with autism, these behaviors may seem like the individual is purposefully being troublesome.
Educating first responders and educators has the potential to not only change the experiences of children with ASD in the Tampa Bay area, but across Florida. Once established, these training sessions have the potential to be replicated in other locations, cultivating more understanding and a safer environment.
Learn how you can be an advocate for all children during the 2018 legislative session by joining Voice4Allkids.
