1 in 45 Children Now Diagnosed with Autism: Should We Be Worried?
It’s time to update my website, brochures and training materials again… according to the latest numbers released from the CDC this past Friday (the 13th!), 1 in 45 children in the United States has an...
View ArticleAutism and Shoplifting
The holiday season is finally upon us. For most civilians that means family gatherings, Black Friday deals, tons of decadent treats, trimming the tree and more. For some public safety personnel, it...
View ArticleAutism Tips for Emergency Responders: Adult Meltdowns
Often when I begin one of my autism training classes for public safety professionals I have to quickly debunk the myth that autism is a “kid” thing. Especially when we talk about meltdowns. Yes, I talk...
View ArticleAutism Tips for Emergency Responders: No Eye Contact
I read an awesome article on TheMighty.com that asked 16 different people on the autism spectrum to describe why making eye contact can be difficult for them. Any insights like this help me be a better...
View ArticleAutism Anxiety: It’s Not What You Think
As an emergency responder, I’m sure you’ve had “that call” a bunch of times… it comes in as heart attack or chest pain, and you drive lights and sirens to the call location only to find out your...
View ArticleAutism: Don’t Stand So Close to Me
Picture this: you respond to a call for a 26 y/o male “not acting right” (that’s about the extent of information WE get from dispatch, anyway ). You arrive on scene and are immediately approached by a...
View ArticleManaging Autism Meltdowns Before They Escalate
I’ve spent the last several years teaching emergency responders how to recognize someone as autistic, whether it’s a police matter, medical emergency or search and rescue call. This training has...
View ArticleAutism Tips for Emergency Responders: Stop Echoing Me!
Have you ever had that one annoying sibling when you were growing up that would torture you all afternoon by repeating EVERY. SINGLE. THING. YOU. SAID? No matter what you did, you couldn’t get them to...
View ArticleEmergency Responders: 7 Things You NEED to Know About Autism Wandering
As an autism mom, worry and fear can be my constant companions. My entire life can change in the blink of an eye, especially because my child wanders. My son has been wandering since he could walk. One...
View Article5 Possible Causes of Autism Self-Injurious Behavior
Both of my teens experience significant gastrointestinal issues as part of their autism. I was out running errands with my daughter (who just turned 19! How did this happen?!) and she had severe...
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