Autism Seminar Returns to Long Island

John Mitty Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Autism Seminar Returns to Long Island. For Autism Awareness Month

Goal is better understanding of interactions with individuals with autism, especially in emergency situations

Scheduled this year to coincide with Autism Awareness Month, The Flying Point Foundation for Autism has again joined forces with Southampton Hospital and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Division of Emergency Medical Services to bring a seminar to Long Island that will help first responders and others not usually accustomed to interacting with those with autism better understand and react to the special circumstances that can arise in an emergency situation.

This year two seminars will be offered. The first is geared toward first responders and firefighters but is equally as relevant to anyone who might have to interact with an individual with autism in a tense situation. It was created by a Massachusetts firefighter who is also the father of a son with autism and featured on NBC’s “Today” show. It will be presented by Jason Dorval, also a firefighter and the father of child with autism. The second, similar to the first seminar, is geared toward law enforcement, security, school support and hospital support personnel. Both will be held at Hampton Bays Middle School on Saturday, April 6. The first starting at 9:30 a.m. and the second at 1 p.m.

Dorval, a certified public fire and life safety instructor and presenter for the Autism Law Enforcement Education Coalition (ALEC), will discuss identifying characteristics of behaviors of a person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, the fastest growing neurobiological condition in the world. A person with ASD has an impaired ability to communicate, which can result in a high risk call for responders. The seminar will discuss special tactics, rescue techniques and how to effectively communicate with a person with ASD, as well as ways to build relationships with the ASD community.

“As a parent of a child with autism and a firefighter, I know firsthand that working with a developmentally disabled child can be challenging. Their lack of understanding, limited communication, and other special needs can be a huge problem in an emergency situation. This course will prepare first responders to better understand these individuals and react accordingly,” said Dorval.

Flying Point Foundation founder Kim Covell said the feedback from last year’s seminar was so positive that it was important to offer it a second time and expand its scope to include anyone who might interact with individuals with autism. The county has again approved first responders receiving three hours non-core professional credit for taking the seminar, added Covell.

“The techniques and tools that each responder will learn in this seminar will be helpful to the patient, as well the provider by instilling confidence that he or she will be able to handle any situation that arises,” said Tom Lateulere, chief of education and training for the Suffolk County EMS Division.

The seminars are open to anyone who wishes to learn more about communicating with an individual with autism in a special situation. First responders who wish to obtain credit for attending the course should register through the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Division of Emergency Medical Services at 631-852-5800. All others should register by emailing info@fpf4autism.org. Check-in opens at 9 a.m. for the morning session and a light breakfast will be served; check-in for the afternoon session will begin at noon and refreshments will be served.

jmitty@longislandyellowpages.com

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