Behavioral Pediatrics Resource Center of Statesboro is working in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies to help them better respond in emergencies that involve interactions with autistic individuals.
The Occupants with Autism Decal Program was launched earlier this year and aims to foster a better understanding between law enforcement and Bulloch County residents who may be a parent or caregiver of a person with autism. Also, the program helps increase law enforcement awareness about autism and the characteristics individuals with autism may exhibit.
A major focus of the program is to distribute free decals to families for them to place on their cars or residences to identify for law enforcement there is an individual with autism when they make contact during an emergency or a routine stop.
"Decals alert all emergency responders to the fact that someone either in the car or in the house has autism, which will give them a little heads up," said Sharon Draeger, the manager of the project at Behavioral Pediatrics Resource Center. "People with autism often respond differently in emergency situations."
Decals are free and available at the Statesboro Police Department on West Grady Street and the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office on Highway 301 North. Dreager said the decals would be available for the near future.
As part of their Occupant with Autism Decal Program, the Resource Center also is working with the Sheriff's Office and the Statesboro PD to provide training to law enforcement for when they may encounter someone with autism in an emergency. This training helps to increase awareness on conditions such as autism, and what autism may look like in different situations where the environment is rapidly changing.
"I think there is a greater need across the board to make folks aware of autism and what it looks like," Draeger said. "People with autism have their own way of thinking about things, and it's not a bad way, but they have a different way of seeing things."
Bulloch County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Clint Campbell said the joint effort between law enforcement and the Resource Center is a part of the annual education requirements under the community policing category. Every year, the Sheriff's Office is required to complete 20 hours' worth of electives covering various subjects, both providing refreshers and new information.
"We just thought it would be better for the guys and girls at the office to sit through something different," Campbell said. "They can get additional information on top of what they are already required to receive every year."
Campbell shared that all deputies and law enforcement staff are required to take a class on crisis intervention in the case of mental health episodes, but the collaboration with the Behavioral Pediatrics Resource Center was the first class available that highlights autism awareness.
The training consists of a two-hour lecture presented by Behavioral Pediatrics on the traits and characteristics of autism, including an interactive component of identification and a quiz.
Draeger said the lecture contains videos that help law enforcement to identify and properly respond to a person with autism. This course teaches law enforcement common autism traits, what they may look like and possible responses to the behaviors.
In addition to law enforcement, Draeger said Behavioral Pediatrics is working towards a grant to be able to provide training to local EMS and firefighters as well.
Behavioral Pediatrics Resource Center was founded in 2018 by Dr. Michelle Zeanah as an addition to her existing practice. It is a non-profit organization that provides resources and education on conditions such as autism, ADHD and anxiety. The center works with families, educators and law enforcement to help better serve individuals with these conditions in the community.
"Occupant with Autism" decals are limited to three per household, which may be displayed on a car and/or at a residence. The program advises the decals be placed in the rear window of the car on the upper left of the drivers' side and for decals to be placed near the front door of residences where it is easily visible.
To receive decals, Draeger said it is requested, but not required, to present documentation of an individual's autism diagnosis. At the time of pick up, there will be an optional form to complete that provides more details on the individual with autism and their behaviors, which can help law enforcement better respond to them.
Draeger said that some details to include on the optional form could be that the person with autism does not like to make eye contact, or they may stand very close to other individuals, or that they may react aggressively.