First Ever
U.S. Conference on Autism, Law Enforcement, First Response &
Criminal Justice Issues close to becoming a reality
I had a great deal of response out here about the proposed Autism, Law
Enforcement and First Response conference. As a result, Dr. Lloyd Zucker,
M.D. and A. Lynn Zucker, BSW, MHA put Dr. John Sullivan Director of Training
& Professional Development, Boca Raton Police Services Department in touch
with me regarding the conference. When John called, I explained to him the
growing safety and risk needs autism families have, and how these needs
affect 21st century law enforcement and first response communities. John in
turn outlined the city of Boca Raton's new INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR
LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT (ICLAD)
Here's a bit of history about ICLAD:
In 2002, the City of Boca Raton,
Florida purchased an 118,000 square foot facility for the purposes of
developing a state-of-the-art training center for police, fire and
general municipal services. The purchase was made possible with
millions of dollars in seizure monies received in 2001, which resulted
from a 1994 drug trafficking case. In addition to the main campus of
approximately 9 acres that houses the main building, the Center¹s venue
will also include approximately 21 acres devoted to highly specialized
field training for police and fire officials.
The training facility, named The International Center for Leadership &
Development, will provide a venue designed to equip future leaders with
the skills that ensure the safety of communities, states, and nations.
The City¹s initial investment of $22 million dollars in the enterprise
will create an environment that will be open to public safety
professionals all over the world.
The multi-campus facility will be divided into two primary public
safety-training venues: law enforcement and fire/rescue training,
and a general municipal services training area.
The facility and its remote campuses will be dedicated to forming
partnerships in order to facilitate growth, intellectual exchange,
innovation, and a new way to create strategic alliances that will
ultimately deliver new services, new methods, and higher levels of
professionalism to the individual citizens who depend on the public
sector.
You wouldn't be reading this if you didn't
recognize the need for international attention to autism safety and risk
issues. The proposed conference is the opportunity for us to get together,
share ideas and information, and build the partnerships necessary to address
our issues throughout the world.
The good news is I met with John this month and the Boca PD and ICLAD are
willing to move forward and make the conference happen not only in 2006, but
as an annual event. The target is March, 2006; a Thursday and Friday; dates
to be determined. A formal announcement should be forthcoming.
What's needed now is your commitment to attend the two day conference in
Boca Raton, Florida in late winter, 2006. You'll not only upgrade your
knowledge and meet new friends, you can dust of the clubs for a round of
golf, take a stroll on the beach and a dip in the pool, and enjoy all that
south Florida offers!
Sound Good?
Then send your letter of commitment now to:
ddpi@flash.net
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U. S. Department of
Homeland Security hosts Autism Training Sessions at the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
As the result of attending the American Society for Law Enforcement Training
(ASLET) conference in January, I met several instructors from the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (DOH). Discussions about autism issues led
to an invitation to present two sessions for DOH trainers at FLETC in Glynco,
Georgia in late February. Approximately 35 Department of Homeland Security
instructors were in attendance including upper level administrators. The
feedback was excellent and there were many fine questions during Q & A. FLETC
now has my training materials, book Autism, Advocates and Law Enforcement
Professionals and the new Autism & Law Enforcement video for use
at future training sessions.
FLETC trains over 40 federal agencies including the Secret Service,
Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Learn More about FLETC at:
http://www.fletc.gov/
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Autism & Law
Enforcement Video News
The March, 2005 edition of the FBI Law
Enforcement Bulletin features two reviews of the Autism & Law Enforcement
video. The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin has a readership of over 200,000,and
is considered the world's leading cutting-edge publication on law
enforcement issues.,
The reviews will be online soon at http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/leb.htm
In the meantime, anyone who wants copies of the review can email
me at ddpi@flash.net include a FAX
number I'll FAX you a copy.
Here are excerpts:
Mary Otto, Oregon Police Corps:
"The video Autism and Law Enforcement
provides a quick and engaging education in autism that can help increase
safety for both officers and individuals with autism, as well as minimize
the potential for litigation that could occur as a result of a
misunderstanding. Interviews and vignettes involving people with autism
concretely convey the reality of how challenging they can be to interact
with and how vulnerable to crime and exploitation they are.....After
viewing this video, officers will be better equipped to consider autism
when assessing behavior during personal encounters."
John M. Skinner, Chief, Port St. Lucie,
Florida Police Department
"My review of Autism and Law
Enforcement, a 21-minute video, not only enlightened me as a police
chief but made me immediately recognize it as a valuable resource for all
law enforcement officers. The producer, a law enforcement veteran and
father of a son with autism, maintains viewer interest by providing clear
concise bullet points about the nature of the disability; how officers
should approach an individual with autism; and what to expect as a
response from an officer's field interview....Autism and Law
Enforcement is an excellent tool that can raise awareness to promote
successful encounters with people who have autism. The complexities in the
mission of today's street officer demand an astute response to the
differing needs of citizens. This training video helps accomplish that
goal."
Law Enforcement Product News (LEPN) also
featured the video in its March-April 2005 edition. We've had a great deal
of response as a result. This also stemmed from discussions at the January
ASLET conference.
To subscribe to LEPN:
http://www.tradepub.com/free/lepn/
Susan Rzucidlo, a board member of the Greater Philadelphia
Chapter of the Autism Society of America reports that the Philadelphia
Police Department is now using the Autism and Law Enforcement Video
and handout--in addition to the Silent No More communication boards and GPC-ASA
materials--to train all sworn officers on autism. All materials were
provided by the GPC-ASA.
For information visit:
Silent No More Web site at http://www.dol.net/~srz
A big thanks goes out to the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Law Enforcement
Product News, and the GPC-ASA!!!
Video Information and ordering options at:
http://www.autismriskmanagement.com/
Inquiries? Email ddpi@flash.net
or call 772-398-9756. Brad may answer the phone. Tell him Hi!
Pensacola Police Department's Take Me Home Database
You may recall a report from the Summer 2004 Autism risk & Safety Newsletter
about the Pensacola Police Department's Take Me Home database. The
Take Me Home system is available to ALL law
enforcement and public service agencies free of charge!!!
Contact Crime Prevention Officer Jimmy Donohoe at 850-436-5416 or email
jdonohoe@ci.pensacola.fl.us
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Pensacola Police Department -
Here's the report for those of you who may have missed it:
The seeds were sown for this innovative special needs assistance program
when Pensacola, Florida PD Officer Jimmy Donohoe attended a meeting of the
Panhandle Chapter of the Autism Society of America. Officer Donohoe heard
first-hand the concerns that many parents there had about their wandering
children who have autism. Officer Donohoe, also the parent of a special
needs son, decided then and there to do something to assist. He approached
Pensacola PD Chief John Mathis who gave the green light to spearhead the
Take Me Home service.
The Pensacola PD worked in partnership with SmartCOP, a
Pensacola-based law enforcement technology and software company, to develop
Take Me Home.
The Take Me Home system is a database that is maintained at the
Pensacola PD of persons who may need special assistance if they are alone.
The system includes a current, digital picture, demographic information and
caregiver contacts. If a person in the Take Me Home system is
encountered by a Pensacola Police Officer, the officer can query the Take
Me Home system by name or by the person's description to locate the
person's Take Me home enrollment record. With the information at hand the
officer can appropriately assist the person.
The Take Me Home system is designed for departments that utilize the
SmartCOP onboard patrol vehicle computer technology.
Over-the-air dispatching is minimized. Caregivers can be contacted by phone
and provide key information directly to the first responder. Take Me Home
is, of course, voluntary for those who participate.
The Pensacola Police Department was incepted in 1821 and continues to grow
not only in personnel but also in technology, training and community
outreach efforts. About Take Me Home, Chief Mathis recently said,
"We are excited to share with you this new service designed to provide
enhanced service and protection to our citizens. I strongly believe, and try
to instill the same philosophy in others, that it is by working together
that we can make Pensacola an even better place in which to live."
When it comes to the Take Me Home program, Chief Mathis and the
Pensacola PD strive to make everywhere a better place to live.
Kudos to Chief Mathis, Inspector Wendell Rich and Officer Jimmy Donohoe for
creating Take Me Home. Write thanks to the Chief at:
Pensacola Police Department
711 North Haynes Street
Pensacola, FL 32501
Contact SmartCOP at: 270 North Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL
32502, phone 850-429-0082
When Words Are Not Enough
Curriculum Review by Dennis Debbaudt
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When
Words Are Not Enough: Communicating with individuals who have
various physical, psycho-social, developmental and learning disabilities
that may be adversely affecting communication
A Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded project administered by the
Woodside Fire Protection District, this training package is a fantastic tool
for all first responders. The scenes from the video where first responders
and students with disabilities get together in classrooms--not only to
review the safety and communication materials, but, most importantly, to get
to know each other in a safe, non stressful environment--were impressive and
are an extremely important component of every good training program. It's
these types of cross educational opportunities that drive home the message
to students that first responders are safe "go to" people in an emergency;
and helps the first responder clearly understand what the communication
difficulties look and sound like while not under the stress of a field
situation. Those scenes and the entire video, sent the message graphically,
and should be viewed by parents, educators and first responders everywhere.
The field laminates feature American Sign Language (ASL) graphics, pictures
and Spanish translations for key words including: "help", "quite", "wait",
and "friends".
Our communities need more quality programs such as the outstanding training
curriculum "When Words Are Not Enough"
More Information from the When Words Are Not Enough flyer:
Program Design: This program
is designed as an educational tool for fire department ³first responders²,
children in special education classes and other individuals who may have
difficulty communicating during emergencies because of a disability.
The video depicts emergency personnel using the communication
strategies and tools described in the manual. There is also a demonstration
of each of the basic symbols as an individual hand sign.
The manual with basic information about individuals with various
disabilities and communication difficulties a first responder may encounter
on a call involving these individuals (in addition to the manual, a one-hour
training session regarding the information is available upon request).
A communication booklet to be used on calls when necessary as well as
an adjunct to various educational presentations fire personnel provide to
individuals with disabilities.
A poster depicting ³first responders² as ³friends² The poster will
include both signs/icons and illustrations of first responders ³in action².
These posters are special reminders when placed in the fire station or in
the special education classrooms at schools.
How do I order a copy for my department: You may download or
order the curriculum in its entirety including the: video, instruction
manual, symbol/sign booklet and the poster from
www.woodsidefire.org.
For further program information or to request program materials, contact
Denise Enea, Fire Marshal, Woodside Fire Protection District at 650 851-1594
or denea@woodsidefire.org
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Global and
Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership
Next year's autism & law enforcement conference will feature sessions that
address spectrum public safety risks and criminal justice issues. People
with Asperger syndrome (AS) are sure to part of the discussions and,
hopefully, presenters, too.
I get a lot of calls from autism and AS families seeking help during crisis.
Thankfully, a growing number national and international spectrum groups are
addressing issues of safety and risk. In the AS community, one such group,
run by and for self advocates with AS, is the Global and Regional Asperger
Syndrome Partnership.
GRASP chapters are forming throughout the U.S. and globally. I can't think
of a better partnership than one that includes persons on the spectrum,
their families, and professionals in law enforcement, first response and
criminal justice.
If you are seeking Asperger syndrome support, check out GRASP. You won't be
sorry!
Contact:
Michael John Carley
Executive Director
GRASP
The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership, Inc.
135 East 15th Street
New York, NY 10003
646.242.4003
212.529.9996-fax
mjcarley@grasp.org
www.grasp.org
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Autism
Spectrum & Law Enforcement Training in Maine
With a course approved by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, U.S. Federal
Probation Officer, Matt Brown has been traveling the state of Maine for over
a year educating law enforcers and first responders about the autism
spectrum. Matt's delivered the training to officers at municipal police
departments, as well as for state troopers, state probation officers, EMS
and fire personnel, search and rescue pros, park rangers, ER personnel and
special educators. He co-presents with Chris Conner, a young man with
Asperger syndrome. Chris brings his personal views and powerful stories to
these presentations. Matt, as the parent of a spectrum son, also brings the
personal side to the Maine training sessions.
These sessions--and the Autism and Law Enforcement video--have been
featured on broadcast TV reports in Portland. Maine and are supported by the
autism Society of Maine
Wishing the best of everything to Matt Brown and Chris Conner!
Contact Matt Brown at:
rmb@mep.uscourts.gov
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Rising
Bird Productions
Teresa Soler & Brant Dutton of Rising Bird Productions of Eugene, Oregon
wish the Autism Community all the best during the New Year!!
They are the talented duo who created the site for the video.
Rising Bird Productions are top notch Design, Publishing, Business Services
and Photography Professionals.
Teresa and Brant are part of the autism community!! Consider using them for
your web, ad or graphic design needs. And tell em Dennis sent you!!
Check out their web site at:
http://www.RisingBird.net/
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Dennis Debbaudt Calendar :
April 28 & 29, Boise and Nampa, Idaho Paul & Richelle Tierney
jrat@netzero.net
Sponsored by the Treasure Valley Autism Society
May 2nd Portland, Oregon email Genevieve Athens
athensc@comcast.net
May 3rd Eastern Oregon email Donna Helman dhelman@orpti.org
May 5th Eugene, Oregon email Sgt. Don McGuire
Don.McGuire@co.lane.or.us
Sponsored by the Autism Society of Oregon
Eugene session sponsored by the Lane County Sheriff's Office
May 11th Albuquerque, New Mexico
Sponsored by the SouthWest Autism Network at the University of New Mexico
and the New Mexico Autism Society
Contact:
Karen "Cal" Wright
Manager, Health Education
SouthWest Autism Network
Center for Development and Disability
University of New Mexico
karwright@sulud.unm.edu
505.272.0134
May 16th Kansas City email: ddpi@flash.net
May 18th Cape Girardeau, Missouri email:
DSeger@cityofcapegirardeau.org
May 19th Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
May 20th St. Louis email:
ddpi@flash.net
May 23rd-25th Project Lifesaver Conference, Braintree, Massachusetts
http://www.projectlifesaver.org
Now Booking Dennis Debbaudt Conference and Training Sessions 2005 and
beyond!
Inquiries? Email: ddpi@flash.net
or call 772-398-9756 (Brad may answer
phone) for updates, new bookings or to schedule an event. Background at
http://www.autismriskmangement.com/
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Autism & Law Enforcement Resources
Autism, Advocates & Law Enforcement Professionals: Recognizing and
Reducing Risk Situations for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Dennis
Debbaudt, Jessica Kingsley Publishers 2001 ISBN # 1-85302-980-7
Online Articles
Contact With Individuals With Autism by Debbaudt &
Rothman, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin April 2001
Edited for Sheriff Magazine Issue March-April 2002
http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2194/is_4_70/ai_75959751
Beyond Guilt or Innocence
EK Shriver Center LEND Journal, 2004
http://www.mnip-net.org/ddlead.nsf/TrimTOC/BeyondGuiltorInnocen
Video
Autism & Law Enforcement Roll Call Briefing Video
Debbaudt/Legacy Productions, 2004
http://www.risingbird.net/asr/email.html
Excerpts/clips from the video can be seen at the Dan Marino
Foundation web site. Please note that this is online TV and not perfect. The
video itself is top quality VHS and full length of 21 minutes. Link to
clips: http://sar.c.topica.com/maachkfaa65rEa7mHtqb/
For further information, conference and workshop bookings:
Dennis Debbaudt, 2338 SE Holland Street, Port St. Lucie FL 34952
Phone 772/398-9756 (son with autism may answer phone)
Email ddpi@flash.net
http://www.autismriskmanagement.com/
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A personal note and THANKS!!
The national and international attention now being given to autism spectrum
issues of risk and safety has been fantastic. without having to lobby for
legislation, federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security
and the FBI, as well as many state and local law enforcement training
centers and agencies are working with our advocacy groups, forming
partnerships and sharing information. This should be very encouraging for
all of us.
Again and always, I want to thank my wife Gay and son Brad for allowing me
to get out here and do this work. They've been behind my efforts for
fourteen years and counting and I rely on them as my anchors.
Brad's acting was terrific in the video! He also had his one year
celebration at work, and also celebrated his one-gallon mark with the South
Florida Blood Bank. Every 52 days he happily gives blood. We're extremely
proud of him!
Enjoy the Spring warm-up!!
The newsletter will be back soon.
I'm always seeking feedback, advice and information. Please send it my way!
This newsletter is sent out occasionally. To subscribe or be removed,
send an email to ddpi@flash.net
Please circulate far and wide!
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Some
are the melody, some are the rhythm, some are the harmony