Yesterday there was an article in the local newspaper about registering autistic children with the local police for easier care. In the article, it stated that the police would take your child's picture and their behavioral tendencies and enter it into their emergency database. The information would then be used in the event of emergency calls from those households to give responders a clearer idea of what they will see at the home.
It went on to say without the idea of how autism works, sometimes they might treat the children like they're hostile instead of partially disabled. With this background they don't necessarily take the same command presence they normally would.
So....
I called the police department and asked if there was any reason children with other mental health impairments couldn't be included and they said, "no" and to bring difficult child down to the station.
So, I brought him tonight and the Lt. who was coordinating this effort was very nice...he has a child on the spectrum so he was very understanding. He took a digital photo of difficult child and had me fill out a sheet that said at the top, "Person Specific Handout Checklist for 9-1-1 Systems, First Responders & Emergency Room Staff. I filled out difficult child name, address, DOB, physical description, name of parents, names and phone numbers of those to contact in case of emergency, calming techniques, sensory issues and medical conditions/issues.
They then scanned that worksheet with his picture on it into their database. So, anyone responding to a call at our house, will have that information before they arrive. They also gave
me a "Supplemental 'Automatic Location Information' (ALI) Worksheet." By filling this out, and sending it in, difficult child's diagnosis is registered into the 9-1-1 database. So if we ever use 9-1-1, his diagnosis will comes up on a supplemental screen.
I was THRILLED that the police station offers this. I am always afraid that a neighbor will call the police when they hear one of his rages. If that does happen, the police will already know difficult child diagnosis. It really has taken a load off my mind...I now feel like the police will be more understanding with this info. up front.
It went on to say without the idea of how autism works, sometimes they might treat the children like they're hostile instead of partially disabled. With this background they don't necessarily take the same command presence they normally would.
So....
I called the police department and asked if there was any reason children with other mental health impairments couldn't be included and they said, "no" and to bring difficult child down to the station.
So, I brought him tonight and the Lt. who was coordinating this effort was very nice...he has a child on the spectrum so he was very understanding. He took a digital photo of difficult child and had me fill out a sheet that said at the top, "Person Specific Handout Checklist for 9-1-1 Systems, First Responders & Emergency Room Staff. I filled out difficult child name, address, DOB, physical description, name of parents, names and phone numbers of those to contact in case of emergency, calming techniques, sensory issues and medical conditions/issues.
They then scanned that worksheet with his picture on it into their database. So, anyone responding to a call at our house, will have that information before they arrive. They also gave
me a "Supplemental 'Automatic Location Information' (ALI) Worksheet." By filling this out, and sending it in, difficult child's diagnosis is registered into the 9-1-1 database. So if we ever use 9-1-1, his diagnosis will comes up on a supplemental screen.
I was THRILLED that the police station offers this. I am always afraid that a neighbor will call the police when they hear one of his rages. If that does happen, the police will already know difficult child diagnosis. It really has taken a load off my mind...I now feel like the police will be more understanding with this info. up front.