Programs » Autism and Law Enforcement » Dispatcher Questions

Questions for Dispatchers to Ask on a Call Regarding Autism

  1. If the person is missing:
    • Has the family provided their local PD or the Warden Service w/ background information on their loved one?
    • Is he/she verbal or non-verbal? If non-verbal, how do they communicate?
    • Was he/she dressed for the weather?
    • Has he/she run away before? If so, where were they found?
    • Are there water sources nearby (pools, ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, etc)
    • Does he/she have a fear of dogs?
    • Does he/she suffer seizures? Do they have other medical or mental health issues?
    • Does he/she have sensory issues? Which ones?
  2. If it is a fire call:
    • Has he/she gotten safely out of the home? Is someone remaining with them to make sure they do not re-enter the dwelling?
    • Does he/she have any favorite hiding places?
  3. EMS calls:
    • Is there a history of seizures?
    • Are there sensory issues? Which ones (touch, sound, lights, etc)
    • Does the patient have a favorite topic or favorite object? These can be used to make the patient more comfortable during assessment/treatment.

    Remind responding EMT’s that the person may have a high threshold for pain; may be very resistant to physical exam, and will need extra time to process information. The patient assessment should be done slowly and deliberately if at all possible. EMT’s should seek out family members or other persons familiar with the patient.

    Important: An increase in stimming behavior mean the person’s level of stress is increasing, and a “fight or flight” response is possible.

  4. Police contacts:
    • Has the person displayed violent behavior in the past?
    • Is he/she verbal or non-verbal?
    • What sensory issues does he/she have?

    Remind responding officers to be careful to avoid “sensory overload”, and to allow the person enough time to process questions and commands. Officers should not interrupt stimming behavior unless the person is injuring himself. If the person struggles and is taken into custody, officers should be sure that the person’s airway is not compromised.

    Important: Officers should make sure to advise jail intake that the person has autism and should be segregated and protected