First Responders

This comprehensive one day training session provides the latest resources, materials, and information on persons with the developmental disability known as Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorders or Asperger’s Syndrome. The unique challenges posed to police, fire and paramedics will be discussed by Dennis Debbaudt, one of the leading public safety presenters on this topic.

Public Act 95-0171 (50 ILCS 705/7) requires all new officers to have autism training as part of their basic academy learning. This in-service trainer will help departments insure that all experienced officers have the same opportunity to learn about this topic.

After attending this program, officers may want to use an outstanding training video that includes excellent information, handouts and scenarios for roll call training. This video, Autism and Law Enforcement Roll Call Briefing Video, can be acquired through a purchase agreement or borrowed from the NEMRT Instructors Library's video collection, for use during in-house training.

Research indicates that persons with developmental disabilities are many more times likely to come in contact with law enforcement professionals and pose particular challenges to those who have never experienced the unique social and communication challenges of this disability.

The instructor for this course will be Dennis Debbaudt, parent of a young man with Autism, and Florida-based licensed private investigator. Debbaudt has authored numerous articles and books, including Contact with Individuals with Autism: Effective Resolutions, with Darla Rothman, for the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin (2001), and Autism, Advocates and Law Enforcement Professional; Recognizing and Reducing Risk Situations for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Jessica Kingsley Publisher, 2002). He was instrumental in development of the state of Maryland’s Police and Correctional Training Commission’s curriculum Why Law Enforcement Needs to Recognize Autism (1999), and was a consultant to Chicago Police Department’s autism training module (2007) He produced Autism Awareness Video for Law Enforcement (2004) , and consultant to an ABC News 20/20 segment about the false confession to bank robbery by an adult with autism. Debbaudt presents this training throughout the United States.

Special Guest Speaker: Dr. Steven Shore, a national authority on this subject.

This program is being sponsored by AutismOne.

Pre-register by fax at 630-896-4422, using the pre-registration form at http://www.nemrt.com/Bonus_Training/Autism%20Awareness%20May%2024.pdf; or NEMRT member departments may preregister online.