Woodland Hills, CA (PRWEB) April 10, 2017
Institute for Behavioral Training (IBT) and Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) today announced that they will partner to train first responders on autism in the month of April in celebration of Autism Awareness Month. The free presentation, Autism for First Responders, will be presented in select cities across the US. IBT has trained over 25,000 people across the US and other countries since 2013. CARD is celebrating its 27th anniversary this year and has successfully treated thousands of individuals with autism since 1990.
According to the Centers for Disease Control’s announcement on March 27, 2014, autism impacts 1 in 68 children. One in 47 boys has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As more children, teens, and adults are impacted by ASD, police and other first responders will have interactions with this population.
Individuals with autism 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. However, parents and professionals agree that safety is a huge concern for everyone in this population as they may easily be distracted, lost, or even elope from their school or surroundings. Autism for First Responders teaches police and first responders to recognize the signs of ASD and react accordingly to minimize their own risk and that of the individuals with autism.
“Training first responders to recognize ASD is crucial,” says Cecilia H. Knight, director of IBT. “Helping a family find a child who has wandered away, protecting an adult with autism whose behavior is being misunderstood, or helping a paramedic know how to interact when a child is injured can truly make a life or death difference. Recognizing the signs of autism, knowing how to act, and knowing how to react are key.”
CARD provides services across the US. Training will take place in local communities in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and in our nation’s capital. IBT’s training teaches the signs and symptoms of ASD, how to communicate with individuals who appear to be affected, and tips for first responders interacting with individuals on the spectrum.
About the Institute for Behavioral Training
IBT is considered the one-stop training hub for individuals at all levels who interact with, teach, care for, and treat individuals with ASD and other developmental 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.
About the Center for Autism and Related Disorders
CARD treats individuals of all ages who are diagnosed with ASD at over 100 treatment centers and academies around the globe. CARD was founded in 1990 by leading autism expert and clinical psychologist Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA-D. CARD treats individuals with ASD using the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), which is empirically proven to be the most effective method for treating individuals with ASD and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Surgeon General.
For more information about the events, or to find more information about setting up training in your area, please visit http://www.ibehavioraltraining.com or http://www.centerforautism.com.
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