Autism Training for First Responders

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects an individual's ability to communicate and to understand everyday social situations. This disorder has been increasing in frequency over the past decade, and many health professionals are calling it an epidemic.

People with autism and other developmental disorders are about seven times more likely than the rest of us to have an encounter with law enforcement. But if our officers and first responders are not trained in recognizing it, and in effectively communicating with these individuals, the encounter can go very badly. However, despite the need, there is little professional training available.

I am the father of a young man with autism. I've heard the horror stories about when things go wrong. I am greatly concerned for the safety of my son as well as others like him. I want our police officers, firefighters and EMTs to receive training in autism, but I am also aware of the lack of trainers and the current limits of many training budgets. So I have decided to jump in and do it myself.

I am not an expert on autism. I am not even a health care worker, and I have no professional standing in this field at all. But I have lived with autism in my own home for over twelve years, gotten to know many people with autism and their parents, and developed many effective strategies for dealing with it. I've read a lot of books on autism in general, and its challenges to law enforcement in particular. (I found the writings of Dennis Debbaudt to be especially valuable).

My price is very affordable: FREE. And I am willing to present at odd hours when officers are on duty but unlikely to be out on calls, thus saving overtime costs. (I prefer to stay within my home state of Wisconsin. But still feel free to contact me).

Below is a list of seminars I have already given or are scheduled. I usually speak for about an hour or so. You may want to contact any of these agencies to find out if they found it valuable and if it would be worthwhile for yours.

You may call me at 715-384-2871 or send me email at harry.dolan@gmail.com.