• Allow a familiar adult to ride with the person with autism 
during transport. 
• Communicate with the receiving hospital before arrival 
to request a quiet, isolated room for the patient with 
autism. 
• Alert ER personnel to prepare a triage for an individual 
Responding to Individuals with Autism 

When interacting with an individual who you suspect 
may have autism: 

• 
Maintain a calm and reassuring tone of voice with 
the individual. 

• 
Talk in short, direct phrases such as, “Stand up now. 
Go to the car.” 

• 
Have only one officer at a time speak to the individual. 
• 
Allow for delayed responses to questions and or 
directions/commands. 

• 
Ignore unusual or disrespectful language from the 
person. 

• 
If the individual’s aggressive or self-injurious behavior 
escalates, maintain a safe distance until the behaviors 
lessen. 

• 
Due to tactile sensitivity, individuals with autism may 
attempt to pull out IVs and remove bandages. Monitor 
closely. 

• 
Gently examine non-speaking individuals for the 
presence of medic-alert tags or other personal 
identification. 
If possible: 

• 
Avoid touching the person with autism. 
• 
Use pictures, gestures, or sign language to 
communicate. 

• 
Turn off sirens and flashing lights, if possible. 
• 
Do not interrupt repetitive behaviors, such as hand-
flapping or pacing, unless person is in immediate 
danger. These behaviors may calm the individual 
during a stressful time. 

• 
Move the individual to a quieter environment. 
with autism, even if the injury is relatively mild. This may 
prevent serious behavioral difficulties and disruption to 

the emergency room. 

Important Safety Facts 

• 
Individuals with autism often have a high tolerance for 
pain. They may not tell you that they are injured. They 
may also have unusual responses to pain, such as 
laughing. 

• 
Individuals with autism have a higher rate of epilepsy 
than the general population. 

• 
Due to underdeveloped trunk muscles, individuals 
with autism are at especially HIGH RISK for positional 
asphyxia during emergency restraint. 
• 
Many children and adults with autism may bolt during or 
after treatment. EMS personnel should monitor closely. 

• 
Some individuals with autism take medication. 
For more information: 

Kentucky Autism Training Center 

College of Education and Human Development 
University of Louisville 
Louisville, KY 40292 


Office: 502-852-4631 Toll free: 800-334-8635 ext. 852-4631 
E-mail: katc@louisville.edu 


Website: www.louisville.edu/education/kyautismtraining/ 


This information was adapted from materials developed by the 
Autism Society of America, Alaska Autism Resource Center and the 
Indiana Resource Center for Autism. 


Autism SpectrumDisorders 

Tips for EMS Personnel 



What is Autism? 

Autism is a complex neurobiological condition that 
interferes with an individual’s ability to communicate 

and interact with other people. Some individuals 

with autism also exhibit unusual behaviors (such as 
rocking, spinning, or hand–flapping) especially when 

they are in unfamiliar or stressful situations. 

Recognizing Autism 

Individuals with autism cannot be identified by their 
physical appearance. They are usually identified 
by their behavior. When in an unfamiliar or stressful 
situation, individuals with autism may: 

• 
Run away when approached or given commands. 
• Respond negatively to touch or requests for eye 
contact. 

• Appear belligerent or rude. 
• Repeat exactly what the EMS personnel says. 
• 
Have difficulty judging personal space (stand too 
close or far away). 
• 
Talk about seemingly unrelated topics such as 
favorite sports teams or computer games. 

• 
Scream or vocalize loudly, especially if touched. 
• 
Respond negatively to loud sounds (sirens) and 
flashing lights. 
• 
Fight a rescuer due to fear. 
• 
Engage in repetitive movements, such as hand– 
flapping or self–hitting. 
tips for EMs pErsonnEl 


Autism Facts 
According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in 
in 110 children are diagnosed with autism each year. 
There are adults and children with autism living 
throughout urban and rural Kentucky. 
Some individuals with autism are highly intelligent, 
speak very well, and live independent lives. These 
individuals may drive cars, have jobs, own their own 
homes, etc. 
Fifty percent of individuals with autism are 
nonverbal throughout their lifetime. 
Autism occurs four times more frequently in 
males than in females. 
Individuals with autism may have extreme reactions 
to common objects or events. 
Autism may also be called, 
“autism spectrum 
disorder”, “PDD”, “PDD-
NOS”, or “Asperger’s 
Syndrome.” 
in a community setting. 
When in an unfamiliar or stressful 
situation, individuals with autism 
may respond negatively to loud 
sounds (sirens) and flashing lights. 
When May EMS personnel encounter 
an Individual with Autism? 

The most common times EMS personnel may 
interact with an individual with 
autism are: 

1. 
The child or adult 
with autism 
is in need of 
emergency 
medical care. 


2. 
The child or adult 
is involved in a motor vehicle or other 

accident, or a fire to which EMS personnel 

respond. 

3. 
The child or adult is exhibiting dangerously 
aggressive behavior at home, in school, or