Posted on May 21, 2019
HARTFORD – State Representative Tami Zawistowski (R-61) lauded the passage of legislation to expand training opportunities for Fire/EMS and first responders for incidents involving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or other nonverbal learning disorders.
The legislation was passed as an amendment to HB 7000 ‘An Act Concerning Children’s Services’ sponsored by Rep. Zawistowski and Rep. Linehan (D-103). The original legislation was introduced by Rep. Zawistowski as HB 5156 ‘An Act Concerning First Responder Training for Incidents Involving Juveniles with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Nonverbal Learning Disorder’.
“The concept for this legislation was brought to me by the Suffield Foundation for Exceptional Children and in February, Jill Caron and Amy Rucci joined me to testify on the bill in the Public Safety Committee,” said Rep. Zawistowski. “This is an important piece of legislation. Being able to communicate successfully with any first responder is absolutely essential. Expanding these training opportunities will help improve outcomes.”
“Handling a crisis situation with any child is difficult; however, understanding how to intercede and work with a child with ASD is unique and requires special knowledge of how to engage, work and secure a child on the spectrum,” shared Jill Caron in her public testimony. “Many children with ASD may react to an emergency first responder in a way that seems combative and may run away from the very person who was sent to help them; therefore, it is crucial to teach first responders how to identify someone with autism and how to best help them in an emergency situation.”
The legislation received support from both first responders and Autism advocates.
Director of Advocacy & Public Policy for the Arc Connecticut Shannon Jacovino testified, “Individuals with ASD may not understand what others need or want from them, they may have trouble communicating, and they may not comprehend that their actions and words could negatively impact themselves or others. This can lead to a variety of behaviors and responses that first responders may not understand.”
Rick Hart, Legislative and Political Affairs Director for Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association, shared in his testimony before the Public Safety Committee, “This training enables first responders to recognize the signs of autism and effectively handle a situation involving a child on the spectrum. This is a program that will drastically change an incident in a positive manner if responders are properly trained and exposed to the idiosyncrasies of a child with autism.”
The legislation was passed unanimously in the House of Representatives and awaits action by the Senate before the end of the legislative session on June 5th.