autism first responder training – Autism Connection of Pennsylvania

For many years, we have used a decision-making funnel – developed through our board’s strategic planning – to guide what we post, write about, and include in our publications. An article must provide hope or useful information. We do not publicize trauma, pity, or inspiration porn. We are here to serve people and live our mission as a lifeline of support, information and advocacy. Scaring people, manipulating them with pity, or exploiting people with disabilities are simply the wrong tactics for us.

As a result, our total database now includes more than 21,000 contacts, with roughly 6,500 people following us on social media and about 12,000 receiving our weekly e-blast. It is okay to grow by serving people, and that appears to be exactly what has happened.

This week’s testimony by Aliyah Rahman is an example of extreme bravery, empathy, and resolve, and needs to be heard. Aliyah is an autistic woman with a traumatic brain injury who was assaulted by federal agents in Minneapolis. Her six-minute speech is extraordinarily powerful. While she speaks about being terrorized and harmed, her primary concern is for the many people she witnessed inside an inhumane detention center who do not have her platform. Aliyah demonstrates incredible courage that provides hope while also shattering the harmful stereotype that autistic people lack empathy. That is vital information for us all.

This video includes firsthand testimony from Aliyah Rahman, an autistic woman with a traumatic brain injury, describing harm she experienced in detention. Her words are difficult, but they are shared to provide truth, information, and hope, and to amplify concern for others who do not have a platform. Please take care while watching.

We have dedicated years to working within the criminal legal system in support of people of all ages who encounter law enforcement. We have received grants focused on educating people with disabilities, including hiring Evolve Coaching to help produce the video What to Expect in a Traffic Stop. We have been invited by police departments, district attorney offices, jails, probation, parole, and other entities to provide training on supporting people with a medical diagnosis of autism.

Now, with Aliyah’s story, and the thousands of others who are caught up despite not being investigative targets, we face a conflict. How do we teach, train, support, or offer hope and information in the face of armed troops with marching orders, overwhelming power, and strong financial incentives to capture people regardless of their status? Aliyah did exactly what we teach people to do. She shouted, “I have a disability! I am autistic! I need accommodations!” and it was as if she were screaming into a void. Yes, she was later released, but the physical and emotional harm she and others experience daily cannot simply be erased. That is not how human bodies or brains work.

Through her sworn testimony, Aliyah Rahman has become the teacher, the volunteer advocate for others, and the embodiment of informed hope. We support her in spirit and hope her message helps stem the tide of violence in so many communities, and stops it before it spreads nationwide.

We are here.

If you need help, support, or connection, please reach out.

Autism Connection of PA

412-515-3938

Email: help@autismofpa.org

We were thrilled to visit and teach new friends from the first responder community in and around Lock Haven, PA this past week. We listened to our audience’s experiences and training goals, learned how tremendously professional and caring they are in their work, then launched into delivering “Disability is Not a Crime” content.

Everyone in the room had autism or an autistic relative, and one learner manages two autistic employees, so engagement was high. The conversation was so fantastic we stayed well past the end time of 9:00pm, thinking of creative ways to support autistic people in emergency situations.

Blending an autistic presenter (who is an EMT) and a non-autistic trainer seems to help people feel comfortable asking questions no matter their personal experience. We left feeling a little sad that we don’t live closer to experience their beautiful area and work together more to support folks with disabilities in the region.

Huge thanks to Goodwill Hose Company Ambulance Association for hosting us! And thank you to the attendees for sharing stories of finding missing persons who wander (some multiple times), supporting autistic people in car accident responses, and for telling us a few rattlesnake stories we don’t often get to hear!

Since we were at an EMS base for the training, we had the opportunity to take some photos of equipment. We will be using the images to help people understand what to expect in emergency situations in an ambulance. People may be safer if they know a little more about what to expect when they are sick or injured. Believe it or not, it is not uncommon for people to be arrested and charged for fear-based behaviors they may have during emergency situations, when they are injured or sick on the scene, or in an emergency room.