x
Breaking News
More () »

Free autism awareness training for first responders

A local group from Forty Fort is helping first responders recognize the signs of a person with autism.

LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — In an emergency or traffic accident, first responders are the ones on the scene, making sure those involved are OK.

But not everyone responds the same, and that's why Beyond Behavior Consulting in Forty Fort is offering free training to departments in northeastern Pennsylvania.

"Autism works different for every single kid, so with what might work with one kid, which the police officers may have training with that may not work with another child, so we want to give them as much tools and skills as necessary just like we do with our clients when there in those emergency situations," said Jessica Hartnett of Beyond Behavior Consulting.

The emergency personnel training is a first for Beyond Behavior Consulting.

The session will teach EMS workers how to identify the signs of a person with autism and how to best help them.

Through the training, EMS workers will learn how to recognize and respond to individuals with autism in situations like traffic stops. They'll also show emergency personnel what people with autism may be going through in those encounters.

It's the first time beyond behavior consulting is hosting the training with ASERT (Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training)

"It's great to teach some sort of an Autism 101, but we want to give them the tools that are going to help those job duties to keep our individuals with autism safe and them safe as well," said Kate Hooven, ASERT Justice Project coordinator.

Chief Frank Guido at the Kingston/Forty Fort Fire Department and some of his firefighters have already signed up for the first responder training. He is encouraging other departments to take part.

"We work with the facilities to know what they need for us to do when we get on scene. Like if we're in our bunker gear, we need them to not be scared of u,s and we'll go there once a year so they can see what to expect from us, and we know what to expect from them when we get a call there," Chief Guido said.

While this training is just for emergency first responders, autism advocates believe everyone should be more aware.

"We hope that these trainings and community involvements spread more awareness about autism, because it's not going anywhere," Hartnett said. "The only way to make it better is to (ensure) that more people that know about it, the better that we can facilitate our clients and make awareness to our how entire community,"

The training will take place on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and is open to all first responders in northeastern Pennsylvania.

For more information or to sign up for the training, email jhartnett@beyondbeaviorpa.com.

Credit: WNEP

Before You Leave, Check This Out