The training of New Jersey emergency service first responders in autism awareness

Abstract

This study investigated the extent and adequacy of training among New Jersey first responders (e.g., police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians) specifically as relates to a 2008 state law mandating that autism and hidden disability recognition and response training be conducted. The results show that a significant percentage of emergency service personnel have not completed the state mandated training. Recommendations for improving the training, such as by involving parents, advocates, and field and training personnel as a part of the training process, are discussed.

Preparing Students With Disabilities and Police for Successful Interactions

“…Police officers often group mental illness, LD, EBD, and ASD into one category (Diamond, 2020; Kelly & Hassett-Walker, 2016). This lack of differentiation calls for a general training curriculum that provides specific examples defining the differences between mental illnesses and disabilities across the lifespan.…”

“…This lack of differentiation calls for a general training curriculum that provides specific examples defining the differences between mental illnesses and disabilities across the lifespan. Furthermore, the training should deliver an overview discussing all disabilities (Eadens et al, 2016; Kelly & Hassett-Walker, 2016). This should be followed by more targeted content to provide officers with a deeper knowledge and understanding of common characteristics of students with LD, EBD, and ASD, tips for interpreting verbal and nonverbal cues, and a variety of examples of how behaviors might manifest across different disabilities in particular situations.…”

Increasing the Awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder with Training of Pre-School Teachers and School Counselors in Turkey

“…As in similar awareness studies, in this multidisciplinary field study, significant positive changes were determined after training compared with the pretraining values in all the fields of social interaction, social communication, stereotypical behavior and repetitive movements and general knowledge of autism and public misconceptions. 7,23,24,[59][60][61]…”

“…22 Several other studies have determined that training increased awareness. 7,23,24 In the United Kingdom and other countries, it has been aimed to increase autism awareness in a series of legal changes. Most of these measures have been accompanied by significant increases in funding and aid donations.…”

A Systematic Review of Law Enforcement Training Related to Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…However, one study found that only 37% of LEOs had received training on ASD specifically, and over 25% of officers report dissatisfaction with training (Crane et al, 2016). In New Jersey, where the state mandated that all first responders receive ASD-specific training beginning in 2008, Kelly and Hassett-Walker (2016) found that a significant percentage of emergency personnel had not completed the mandatory training as of Fall 2014. New Jersey mandated that officers hired pre-2008 receive ASD training by 2011, and findings show that many pre-2008 LEOs had not accessed this training.…”