EMS World

NOV 2017

EMS World Magazine is the most authoritative source in the world for clinical and educational material designed to improve the delivery of prehospital emergency medical care.

Issue link: https://emsworld.epubxp.com/i/890710

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 39 of 51

EMSWORLD.com | NOVEMBER 2017 39 standing of the influences that impact nega- tive encounters with individuals with autism in emergency situations can provide responders with the perspective needed to handle these calls safely for everyone. First, the general population is constantly aging, meaning a 5-year-old with ASD is going to become a 21-year-old with ASD. If a young child on the autism spectrum does not receive the support services required to increase func- tional independence and social awareness, they have the potential to become an aggres- sive young adult who does not appear to have a physical disability, which increases the risk for conflict within society. Second, it is important to understand that ASD and other mental health disorders do not cause individuals to commit heinous and violent crimes. All underlying conditions and risks (both environmental and biological) should be identified prior to attributing violent behavior to a specific diagnosis. An individual who is predisposed to mental health disor- ders through genetic makeup is more at risk of falling into self-destructive, self-medicating and risk-taking behaviors than an individual who has no family history of mental health disorders. However, an individual who lacks genetic risk factors but grows up in an abusive and unsafe environment may demonstrate simi- lar self-destructive, self-medicating and risk- taking behaviors to escape their psychological environmental stressors. Overall, increased knowledge among first responders about individuals with ASD and other mental ill- nesses may help decrease the occurrence of negative encounters. Designing a Program To address the needs identified above, leaders in Shenandoah County, Va., in 2009 initiated an educational program for first respond- ers interacting with individuals with autism. Shenandoah County is a rural community that relies on both paid and volunteer fire and res- cue services. Individuals who participated in the educa- tional training were provided with pre- and post-surveys to determine their level of com- fort working with individuals with autism and assess basic knowledge regarding the char- acteristics of the diagnosis. See a portion of the pre-survey in Table 1. Table 1: First Responder Autism Education Program Pre-Survey Excerpt True/false questions—circle correct response 1. You can tell someone has autism by looking at them. True False 2. There is a genetic test for diagnosing autism. True False 3. Individuals with autism often don't understand danger or death, and some have decreased pain sensation. True False 4. There is a cure for autism. True False 5. Autism is a spectrum of disorders, and no two individuals with autism will have the same level of function. True False 6. Only children have autism. True False 7. Only males have autism. True False 8. Autism only affects Caucasians. True False Multiple-choice question—circle all that apply Circle the traits of autism/autistic tendencies: Limited eye contact Decreased communication skills Repetitive movements Poor social skills Allergies Physical aggression Upset by change Likes high places Emotional outbursts High intelligence Dislikes touch Poor impulse control Poor safety awareness Needs a schedule Dislikes loud noise Reacts to light Dislikes food textures Likes water Doesn't respond to name Doesn't respond when spoken to Multiple-choice question—select the single best answer You are called to the scene of a neighborhood disturbance. You arrive on location and find a 9-year-old boy who is not wearing any clothes and running back and forth across the street. You call out to the child to see if he needs help, and he ignores you. What should you do? a) Call out louder. b) Slowly approach the child, get to where he can see you and wait for him to look at you. c) Wait a moment and give the child a chance to respond. d) Tell the child he's going to be in trouble if he doesn't stop running. Opinion questions—please rate the following statements If you were called to an incident and told it involved a child with autism, how would rate your comfort level? Mark on the scale below where you believe you would rate yourself. [0 = very uncomfortable, not sure what to expect; 10 = very comfortable, no concerns] 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of EMS World - NOV 2017