Training for First Responders

**This is a two hour training currently approved for two CE/Contact Hours from the KY Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) and KY Fire Commission State Fire Rescue Training.

  • Explain what autism is - including characteristics and spectrum of how these characteristics are expressed among individuals with autism.
  • Review frequently used terms, interventions, and common types/titles of caregivers.
  • Understand how to respond to and interact with individual(s) with autism – including communication strategies.
  • Identify de-escalation strategies that could be utilized with individuals with autism
  • Review local, state-wide, and national resources related to autism.

 We strongly encourage First Responder agencies to request the in-person training – using the link above.  This format provides the opportunity for discussion, brainstorming and problem solving, as well as enhanced connections amongst participants.  The Kentucky Autism Training Center is able to provide numerous offerings of the training at a variety of times and days of the week to best meet the needs of the requesting agency. For example, one agency needed a single session with 65 participants, while another agency requested 1,200 individuals be trained by offering the training over 20 times.  We are happy to discuss this further with you – please email heidi.cooleycook@louisville.edu.

While awaiting the in-person training, we welcome individuals or groups to view a video recording of the training.

bit.ly/KATCREGISTRATION

You can access additional resources below the training request application and brochures. 

Request First Responder Training

Host Information
Location Information
Presentation Information
Does the training space have a screen and projector or TV that we can use for our PowerPoint presentation?  


Would it be possible to invite other first responders to this training (EMS, Fire, Dispatch/Communications, Crisis response team, etc)?  


Are there any specific scenarios or concerns related to this topic you would like us to consider and/or prepare for ahead of time?  


Attendee Information
Additional Information (Not Required)
Will the following equipment be available for our trainers to use during the presentation? Check all that apply. The Kentucky Autism Training Center will bring a laptop to all events.  
 

First Responder Awareness Brochures

 

FirefightersAutism Spectrum Disorders Tips for Firefighters

Individuals with autism cannot be identified by their physical appearance. They are usually identified by their behavior. This brochure contains some tips to help firefighters interact with an individual who they suspect may have autism when in an unfamiliar or stressful situation. [Download PDF] | [Download TXT]

 

PoliceAutism Spectrum Disorders and Law Enforcement

Awareness and education of first responders about disabilities increases their ability to provide appropriate response. Recognizing behaviors associated with autism will allow you to best respond to the situation. This brochure contains some tips to help law enforcement officers interact with an individual who they suspect may have autism.[Download PDF] | [Download TXT]

 

EMSAutism Spectrum Disorders and EMS Personnel

Because individuals with autism cannot be identified by their physical appearance, they are usually identified by their behavior. This brochure contains some tips to help EMS personnel interact with an individual who they suspect may have autism when in an unfamiliar or stressful situation. [Download PDF] | [Download TXT]

 

Additional Resources

 

Safety Tips and Resources for Families and First Responders

National Autism Association BeRedy Caregiver Booklet  

Widgit Heath Police Symbol Board

National Autism Association Wandering Quick Tips

National Autism Association Wandering Quick Tips (Spanish)

KATC Safety Flyer

Widgit Health EMS Symbol Board

 AngelSense

Autistic Self-Advocacy Network 

B’ZT Patches

Center for Disease Control 

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Organization for Autism Research 

Smart911

Sign up today and be sure to include multiple phone numbers – this is how the dispatch center is able to access your safety profile
Include as much or as little information as you would like – this is only communicated to the First Responders who are assisting with your call

 

National Autism Association

The Big Red Safety Box is a free-of-charge toolkit given to autism families in need as a means to educate, raise awareness and provide simple tools that may assist them in preventing, and responding to, wandering-related emergencies. NAA’s Big Red Safety Box includes the following resources:

1) The Be REDy Booklet containing the following educational materials and tools:

    •  A caregiver checklist
    •  A Family Wandering Emergency Plan
    •  A first-responder profile form
    •  A wandering-prevention brochure
    •  A sample IEP Letter
    •  A Student Profile Form
    • Emotion Identification Cards
    • Wandering Quick Tips

2) Two (2) GE Wireless Door/Window Alarms with batteries

3) One (1) MedicAlert Membership, Bracelet or Pendant, and one (1) Shoe ID tag*

4) Five (5) Adhesive Stop Sign Visual Prompts for doors and windows

5) Two (2) Safety Alert Window Clings for car or home windows

6) One (1) Red Safety Alert Wristband

7) One (1) Child ID Kit from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

*You will receive instructions in your Big Red Safety Box to submit a custom personalization order and create your free MedicAlert account at medicalert.org/autism. Your IDs will be quickly engraved and mailed to you at no charge.

 

More information available at: Big Red Safety Box 

Available for Families; First Responders; Educators
Download Be REDy Booklet --- Print and complete A first-responder profile form

 

Yellow Dot

The Yellow Dot Program alerts first responders at crash scenes of critical medical information that could save a life. Participants in the program provide important medical information that could help emergency responders make split second decisions by placing the Yellow Dot decal in the lower-left corner on the driver-side rear window and the completed Yellow Dot personal information folder into the glove compartment of the vehicle.  Yellow dot stickers and information folders are available at the University of Louisville Autism Center.

  • Include your name, address, and number of decals and folders you need
  • Not just for individuals with autism – may want one for each member of the family
  • Remember to place a folder in each vehicle that the individual(s) frequently uses
  • May also want to put a decal on your front or side door – place folder in your kitchen: on fridge or in medicine cabinet

Project Lifesaver Agencies in Kentucky

Use this interactive map to find a project livesaver agency in your area.

  1. Select the button on the far left hand side of the map to select a city
  2. Select the three point button of the map to share
  3. Select the enlargement button (far right) to make the map bigger or to open the map in a new window

 

Autism Speaks Safety Project

The Autism Safety Project is designed to provide families affected by autism with tips, information, expert advice and resources so that everyone in our community can stay out of harm's way. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s Autism & Safety Toolkit is the first toolkit made by autistic self-advocates, focusing on safety issues that affect us and the tools to deal with them. 

Autism Safety Toolkit

This toolkit provides information about:

  • Abuse and neglect
  • Bullying
  • Interactions with police
  • Mental health
  • Safely navigating the community

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation must be made at least 7 days prior to the event.

Video/Audio Taping

Videotaping and voice recording prohibited unless other arrangements have been made with the Kentucky Autism Training Center.