Dangerous encounters-- avoiding perilous situations with autism : a streetwise guide for all emergency responders, retailers, and parents

Most emergency workers, retailers and retail security know very little about autism. This book explains what to look for and how to successfully handle encounters with people who have autism. It takes emergency responders, retailers and parents through everyday situations, stressing safety and awareness. The authors explain the steps everyone can take to avoid difficult and dangerous situations with people with autism, and more general guidelines. Full of helpful ideas and key point reminders, the book is also an excellent training tool. Most emergency workers know very little about autism. This book explains what to look for and how to successfully handle encounters with people who have autism. It takes emergency responders and parents through everyday situations, stressing safety and awareness. This helps avoid the many problems that have and do arise when encountering autism in emergencies. In addition, this book is aimed at retailers and retail security, as people with autism can look extremely suspicious in shops. For instance, a person with autism may well start to rearrange CDs or books by color. This can leave a wrong impression on a retailer who hasn't encountered autism before and lead to the police being called. Both professionals and parents can work to prevent escalating situations. If given proper education, serious situations can be avoided when a person with autism is involved. This book contains practical appendices, such as emergency ID card instructions and how to make a travel communication safety book, as well as safety social stories that teach a person with autism how to act safely in emergency situations. It outlines a number of steps everyone can take and guidelines that can be followed. It is also a good training tool for emergency responders. 'Bill masterfully translates and suggests how to interpret common behaviors of people with autism for law enforcers, rescue personnel and other first responders. However, all people desiring a deeper understanding in making the world a safer and more understandable place for people with autism will benefit greatly from reading Dangerous Encounters . Bill's use of indoor shopping malls and other everyday surroundings for learning vital social skills are just some of the brilliant tools mentioned for parents and others working with people on the autism spectrum.'. - Stephen M. Shore, Board of Di For emergency workers, parents, and retail security personnel, this title is designed to help avoid serious situations that may arise with autistic individuals. It details: preventing problems in every day life, how to communicate and safety advice A fifteen-year-old Plano, Texas boy with autism was fatally shot by a police officer after an emergency call to a respite home.