Institute for Behavioral Training and SaharaCares Foundation Partner to Provide Autism Awareness Training to First Responders
Los Angeles (PRWEB) April 24, 2014 -- Institute for Behavioral Training (IBT) today announced its collaboration with SaharaCares Foundation to provide a free eLearning training to law enforcement personnel in honor of Autism Awareness Month. The training will teach first responders how to approach and interact with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Law enforcement may also train the entire force, undergo formal testing and receive certification through IBT’s comprehensive training package. The training titled, “Law Enforcement: Your Piece of the Autism Puzzle,” is available now through May 31, 2014 at http://www.ibehavioraltraining.com/IBT/SafetyTraining-Elearning.aspx.
“It is so important that first responders recognize the signs of ASD,” said Cecilia H. Knight, director of IBT. “Not responding, not giving appropriate eye contact, or not complying with a police officer can have detrimental consequences, so providing specific ASD training to law enforcement is of paramount importance. This ensures the safety of individuals with ASD and facilitates the ability of emergency responders to communicate effectively with an individual whose challenges may hinder traditional communication.”
Individuals with ASD may struggle to communicate, make appropriate eye contact or even respond to someone asking them their name. The behaviors that children and teens with ASD display vary greatly; which is why autism is described as a spectrum disorder. Parents and professionals agree that safety is a huge concern for everyone in this population as they may be easily distracted, lost or even elope from their school or surroundings. Police and first responders need training to be able to recognize the signs of ASD and how to learn to interact effectively with individuals diagnosed with ASD.
“It is the goal of SaharaCares to be able to provide this vital information, free of charge, to everyone who can benefit from it,” said Lisa Ridges, president of SaharaCares Foundation. “This training teaches the fundamentals of autism and how best to deescalate tense situations.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 68 children in America is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with one in 42 boys and one in 189 girls diagnosed. Furthermore, the CDC reports that one in 47 children in Utah is on the autism spectrum. As more children, teens and adults are affected by ASD, police and other first responders are more likely to have interactions with the population.
About Institute for Behavioral Training (IBT)
IBT is considered the one-stop training hub for individuals at all levels who interact with, teach, care for, and treat individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other development disorders. IBT's programs educate students, parents, professionals, and caregivers on evidence-based techniques using applied behavior analysis (ABA), so they can maximize progress when working with any individual. For more information about IBT, visit http://www.ibehavioraltraining.com.
About SaharaCares Foundation
SaharaCares Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization located in Bountiful, Utah, dedicated to helping children in the community who cannot help themselves. SaharaCares is a past recipient of the “Angels for Autism” award for making a difference in the lives of children with autism. For more information about SaharaCares, visit http://www.saharacares.net.
Stacey Price, Institute for Behavioral Training, http://www.ibehavioraltraining.com, +1 310.740.5146, [email protected]
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