Emergency First Responder Training & AutismThe rate of autism has grown ten-fold since the late 1990’s, from 1 in 2,500 to at least 1 in every 166 children. Research indicates that persons with autism and other developmental disabilities are approximately seven
times more likely to come in contact with law enforcement professionals than a member of the general population.Children and adults with autism now live, work, go to school and recreate in the community. Law enforcement professionals will have field interactions with children and adults with autism, their parents and care providers.
Autism Recognition, Response and Risk Management training sessions are designed help officers make these interactions safer, less stressful and more informed.Whether as offender or victim-witness, persons on the autism spectrum will present dilemmas in the interview and interrogation room. Their concrete answers, conceptions, and reactions to even the most standard interrogation techniques can cause confusion for even the best trained, seasoned veterans. Autism-specific training can help criminal justice professionals save time and resources and avoid taking misleading statements or false confessions.
Autism Recognition, Response and Risk Management training sessions will help law enforcement, emergency response, and criminal justice professionals recognize the behavioral symptoms and characteristics of a child or adult who has autism, learn basic response techniques, learn about the high risks associated with autism, and will offer suggestions and options about how to address those risks, increase officer and citizen safety, and avoid litigation.*
To access the video clips, click the links beneath the Quicktime, Windows Media or Flash format icons for either the "Low" bandwidth (dial-up connection) or "High" bandwidth (DSL or Broadband) sizes.
All video clips are the copyright of the Foundation for Autism Information and Research (F.A.I.R. Autism Media) and are intended for informational purposes only. The content herein is not intended as medical advice.
You will need Windows Media Player, or Quicktime Player or Flash Player to view these clips.
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Dennis Debbaudt is father to Brad, a young man who has autism. Since 1993, Dennis has authored over 25 autism safety and risk-based articles and books including Autism, Advocates and Law Enforcement Professionals: Recognizing and Reducing Risk Situations for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dennis's training video is in use by the Department of Homeland Security and law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Dennis consulted and contributed to the Chicago Police Department's autism training block; he is a cited Subject Autism & Emergency Preparedness Subject Matter Resource at the Department of Homeland Security website and Lessons Learned Information Sharing. Dennis consulted to ABC News 20/20 for a segment on autism and false confession, and is a consultant for the Autism Society of America's Safe and Sound initiative.
Books: Autism, Advocates and Law Enforcement Professionals: Recognizing and Reducing Risk Situations for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Debbaudt, D. London-Philadelphia. Jessica Kingsley Publishers (2001) Chapters: Debbaudt, D. (2003) Safety Issues for Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome. In Liane Holliday Willey (ed) Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence: Living with the Ups, the Downs and Things in Between. London - Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers Debbaudt, D. (2006) Articles: Contact With Individuals With Autism: Effective Resolutions. Debbaudt, D. & Rothman, D. (2001) FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. April, 2001. Debbaudt, D. (2003 second edition) Managing Autism Safety, Autism Society of America, Advocate p.29 Video: Autism & Law Enforcement Roll Call Briefing Video. (2004) Debbaudt Legacy Productions, Port St. Lucie, Florida. (video and booklet)
