First responders are trained to deal with a variety of situations, but until recently, very few had received training on how to handle emergency situations in which a person with autism was involved. A Northern Nevada group called JUSTin Hope is trying to change that.
Nevada-local Justin Reitz is the inspiration for the foundation. When Reitz was diagnosed with autism, his family wanted to create a safer world for him and those like him. The foundation is committed to helping first responders better understand autism, so that they may be better prepared should an emergency situation involve a diagnosed person.
The training explains that people with autism may have difficulty following commands like, "Put your hands up," and they may panic when confronted with an unfamiliar situation. According to KOLOtv.com, first responders were taken through a crash course on autism and possible symptoms. During the two-hour session, Training Coordinator Jeannie Dwyer showed first responders the most effective methods for communicating with people with autism.
The purpose of the JUSTin Hope training sessions and others like it is to create a better understanding of autism so that first responders are adequately prepared when they encounter individuals with the spectrum disorder.