Responding to Individuals with Autism 

Consider the following 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” and “Come with me.” 
• 
Have only one person at a time speak to the 
individual with autism. 
• 
Allow for delayed responses to questions and or 
directions or commands. 
• 
Do not interpret lack of eye contact as a sign of 
disrespect. 
• 
Be prepared for unusual or disrespectful language 
from an individual with autism. 
• 
Carefully examine non-speaking individuals for 
the presence of medic-alert tags or other personal 
identification. 
• 
If the individual’s aggressive or self-injurious 
behavior escalates, maintain a safe distance until 
the behavior lessens. 
• 
Use 
pictures, 
gestures, or sign language to 
communicate. 
• 
Move 
the 
individual 
to 
a 
quieter 
environment. 
Difficulties with Rescue: 

• 
Like 
a 
child, 
an 
adult 
with 
autism 
may 
be 
likely 
to 
hide in a fire situation. 

• 
Families 
having 
children 
with 
autism 
often 
need 
to 
keep 
exterior doors and gates locked for safety reasons. 
Forced entry may be necessary. Interior doors may 
also be locked. 

• 
Use 
EXTREME 
caution 
when 
rescuing 
a 
person 
with autism from heights. The individual may fight 
the rescuer. Firefighters should be secured before 
attempting such a rescue. 

Important Safety Facts 

• 
Individuals with autism often have a high tolerance for 
pain. They may not tell you that they are injured. If you 
suspect 
a 
possible 
injury, 
contact 
EMS. 


• 
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 after 
rescue. Firefighters must stay with the individual until 
EMS, 
a 
family 
member, 
or 
other 
caretaker 
arrives. 


• 
Individuals with autism may have extreme reactions to 
common objects or events. 
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 is 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 Firefighters 




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 (i.e. as rocking, 
spinning, or hand–flapping) especially when they are 
in unfamiliar or stressful situations. 

When May Firefighters Encounter an 
Individual with Autism? 

The most common times a firefighter may interact 
with an individual with autism are: 

1. 
The 
child 
or 
adult’s 
residence 
is 
the 
site 
of 
a 
structural fire. 

2. 
The 
child 
or 
adult 
is 
involved 
in 
a 
motor 
vehicle or other accident to which firefighters 
respond. 

3. 
The 
child 
is 
a 
student 
at 
a 
school 
that 
is 
experiencing a false alarm or actual fire. 

4. 
Firefighters 
are 
involved 
in 
community 
awareness or other local events. 

tips for firefighters 


Autism Facts 
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 
approximatelyonein110childrenwillbediagnosedwith autism this year. 
There are adults and children with autism living 
throughoutKentucky.
Autism occurs four times more frequently in boys 
than in girls. 
Fifty percent of individuals with autism are 
nonverbal (unable to speak) throughout their 
lifetime. 
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. 
Autism may also be called, “autism spectrum 
disorder”, “PDD”, “PDD-NOS”, or “Asperger’s 
Syndrome.” 
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/instructions. 

• 
Respond 
negatively 
to 
touch 
or 
requests 
for 
eye contact. 

• 
Appear belligerent or rude. 
• 
Repeat 
exactly 
what 
the 
firefighter 
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.