U.S. Senator Jack Reed and The Autism Project (TAP) teamed up to make an educational video to help first responders learn how to communicate with people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
There are close to 22,000 Rhode Islanders who have autism, according to TAP, and the initiative aims to raise awareness and create a safer community for all. TAP said it’s the latest in a series of training videos and events they’ve done in Rhode Island. Elopement is common for people, especially children, on the ASD. It is when they wander from those caring for them or secure locations. The goal of the new video and training is to show police and firefighters how to respond to that type of situation and prevent accidental harm to those involved.