With new kits, first responders are better equipped to help those with autism through a crisis
Autism Society launches sensory tool kits for first responders
First responders in Newfoundland and Labrador now have more and better tools to help people with autism during emergencies, thanks to some colleagues with lived experience.
The Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador last week launched its first responder sensory tool kits, which come equipped with a variety of items — including communication cards and weighted blankets — that can help with a response involving a neurodiverse person.
Staff-Sgt. Troy Bennett, who works with the RCMP's Bay St. George detachment, pioneered the project after taking inspiration from Nigel Pike, a firefighter in Mobile.
"I would want that first responder to have the tools and have the awareness available that would be able to assist him and help him and make him feel safe and secure and understand what's going on," Bennett said.
Bennett said Pike carries a small bag with sensory items to help regulate people with autism and other neurodiverse conditions during active crises.
Recognizing the value of Pike's act, Bennett connected with the Autism Society to bring similar bags to his detachment.
His motivation for the kits is personal. Bennett, a 24-year veteran of the force, has a young son with autism who is non-speaking and sometimes has difficulty regulating his emotions.
Bennett doesn't want his son to experience a situation where he's interacts with first responders and there's no one there to talk for him.
The first responder sensory tool kits are designed to do just that.
The kits also contain sunglasses, a whiteboard and marker, name tags, fidget toys, water bottles, snacks and soundproof ear muffs.
Each item was recommended by people with autism who work for the Autism Society, though the items can be helpful for anyone.
For example, noise-cancelling headphones and sunglasses can help people with autism while emergency vehicle lights are flashing and sirens are playing, said Paul Walsh, chief executive officer of the Autism Society.
"There's an element of universal design here because any of us, when we're in that kind of situation, whether it's a car accident or a fire or anything, we're heightened," he said.
"We're nervous, we're anxious. Any of these things can help anyone regulate and relax."
Kits have rolled out across province
The kits first rolled out in Bay St. George. Then Bennett and the society decided to aim for a broader target.
As of this week, the first responder sensory tool kits have been supplied to the RCMP, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, the Rovers ground search and rescue team, the St. John's International Airport Authority, the St. John's regional fire department, and the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association.
"We partnered on this project and we're here today and all the co-operation from the first responders here in the room is just an exciting time for me," Bennett said.
The kits cost $200 each to prepare.
"There's absolutely no profit or benefit that comes to ASNL or anyone else from that," said Walsh, adding that the most important thing for the community is understanding.
"Autism is a neurotype. It's not something that means that something's broken. It's not something that has to be fixed," Walsh said.
The organizations who have chosen to purchase the kits and implement them into their first response vehicles let those with neurodiversity see that society is moving in a positive direction, Walsh said.
"They get the understanding part, they get the value, they get the inclusion part — it really gives us a lot of sort of a heartwarming sense to know that there's people out here who really do understand," he said.
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With files from Arlette Lazarenko
