DALLAS, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Verbal communication can be challenging for people with autism. It’s why Pennsylvania State Police are promoting a new safety resource designed to enhance their interactions with law enforcement officers.
It’s a card that can be carried by people with autism and presented to police during any encounter to ensure the interactions are safe and productive.
PSP informational cards for people with autism.
Jacob Williams is busy serving up lemonade and sweet treats at parenting autism united headquarters on Main Street in Dallas.
The organization offers programming for people of all abilities to learn life skills and become integrated members of society.
“We try to do this for people with autism like me, as I am actually one of the volunteers here, so it’s a very wonderful place,” states Williams.
Jacob is excited to get one of the new informational cards from the state police.
Their purpose is to let officers know that an individual has autism and may be nonverbal, bothered by loud noises, or hyper-sensitive to touch.
Waverly Community Center hosts ‘Cars and Coffee’ event “It’s actually quite beneficial, as it opens up a wide variety of new possibilities,” said Williams.
State police say the officers are directed to be patient, use a calm and direct voice, and keep their questions and commands simple.
Parenting Autism United’s founder Lindsay Dragon has a child with autism.
“As a parent, that’s our number one fear as far as having children on the spectrum and somebody not understanding they’re not able to accept no, or follow directions, or even say their name.”
Individuals with autism are encouraged to present the card during interactions with any police officers, they don’t need to only be state troopers.
“Some individuals are nonverbal completely, and if they were in a stressful situation, they could elope, they don’t understand how to stop, and so receiving medical attention is extremely difficult, and if our state police and first responders are trained or have that id card, it could save many lives,” explained Lindsay Dragon, founder of Parenting Autism United.
You can print the card from the safety resources page of the state police website. Individuals can carry it in a wallet or save it on their phone.
To learn more about the car head over to the Pennsylvania State Police website .
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