Metro Nashville Department of Emergency Communications NASHVILLE, Tennessee
This presentation highlights how 911 dispatchers can support juveniles with autism both during and after calls, before responders arrive on. Topics include agency procedures that enhance call processing, specific questions to identify autism-related needs, and critical information to relay to field units. Includes insights from the perspective of a dispatcher and mother of children with autism, offering a unique understanding of effective, compassionate response strategies.
Learning Objectives:
At the culmination of this session, participants will be able to accurately identify behavioral, sensory, and communication characteristics commonly exhibited by juveniles with autism, distinguishing these traits from signs of defiance or aggression.
At the culmination of this session, participants will be able to develop and apply structured questioning techniques to obtain key information from callers—such as known triggers, preferred calming methods, and communication abilities—to improve the accuracy of their initial call assessment.
At the culmination of this session, participants will be able to compile and relay autism-specific information clearly and concisely to field personnel, ensuring responders are informed about the juvenile’s needs and potential stressors before arrival while also operating within their own agencies policies and procedures.
