Wow, Dennis is reaching out!

[Guest guest]

Dennis Debbaudt's Autism Risk & Safety Newsletter

Spring, 2005

Please circulate far & wide!

I hope everyone is enjoying the April weather and National Autism Awareness

Month!!

Dennis

(Here is the key to educating the CPS about autism. They need to attend the

autism risk management training sessions along with law enforcement. Homeland

Security is getting the training! Our little county is looking into it but

Dennis has been so busy they haven't connected. The Alert Premises is very

important. Each family needs to give specific information about their child for

the data base. A communication board or system of some kind is beneficial for

them if they come in contact with your child. Educate, educate, educate! See

below:

Here's what's up:

Table of contents:

First Ever U.S. Conference on Autism, Law Enforcement close to becoming a

reality

U. S. Department of Homeland Security hosts Autism Training Sessions at the

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Response & Criminal Justice

Issues

Autism & Law Enforcement Video News

Pensacola Police Department's Take Me Home Database

When Words Are Not Enough: curriculum and video review

Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership

Autism Spectrum & Law Enforcement Training in Maine

Rising Bird Productions

Dennis Debbaudt Calendar

Now Booking Dennis Debbaudt Conference and Training Sessions

A personal note and THANKS!!

____________________________________________________________________________

First Ever U.S. Conference on Autism, Law Enforcement, First Response &

Criminal Justice Issues close to becoming a reality

I had a great deal of response out here about the proposed Autism, Law

Enforcement and First Response conference. As a result, Dr. Lloyd Zucker,

M.D. and A. Lynn Zucker, BSW, MHA put Dr. Sullivan Director of Training

& Professional Development, Boca Raton Police Services Department in touch

with me regarding the conference. When called, I explained to him the

growing safety and risk needs autism families have, and how these needs

affect 21st century law enforcement and first response communities. in

turn outlined the city of Boca Raton's new INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR

LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT (ICLAD)

Here's a bit of history about ICLAD:

In 2002, the City of Boca Raton, Florida purchased an 118,000 square foot

facility for the purposes of developing a state-of-the-art training center

for police, fire and general municipal services. The purchase was made

possible with millions of dollars in seizure monies received in 2001, which

resulted from a 1994 drug trafficking case. In addition to the main campus

of approximately 9 acres that houses the main building, the Center¹s venue

will also include approximately 21 acres devoted to highly specialized field

training for police and fire officials.

The training facility, named The International Center for Leadership &

Development, will provide a venue designed to equip future leaders with the

skills that ensure the safety of communities, states, and nations. The

City¹s initial investment of $22 million dollars in the enterprise will

create an environment that will be open to public safety professionals all

over the world.

The multi-campus facility will be divided into two primary public

safety-training venues: law enforcement and fire/rescue training, and a

general municipal services training area.

The facility and its remote campuses will be dedicated to forming

partnerships in order to facilitate growth, intellectual exchange,

innovation, and a new way to create strategic alliances that will ultimately

deliver new services, new methods, and higher levels of professionalism to

the individual citizens who depend on the public sector.

You wouldn't be reading this if you didn't recognize the need for

international attention to autism safety and risk issues. The proposed

conference is the opportunity for us to get together, share ideas and

information, and build the partnerships necessary to address our issues

throughout the world.

The good news is I met with this month and the Boca PD and ICLAD are

willing to move forward and make the conference happen not only in 2006, but

as an annual event. The target is March, 2006; a Thursday and Friday; dates

to be determined. A formal announcement should be forthcoming.

What's needed now is your commitment to attend the two day conference in

Boca Raton, Florida in late winter, 2006. You'll not only upgrade your

knowledge and meet new friends, you can dust of the clubs for a round of

golf, take a stroll on the beach and a dip in the pool, and enjoy all that

south Florida offers!

Sound Good?

Then send your letter of commitment now to: ddpi@...

____________________________________________________________________________

U. S. Department of Homeland Security hosts Autism Training Sessions at the

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)

As the result of attending the American Society for Law Enforcement Training

(ASLET) conference in January, I met several instructors from the U.S.

Department of Homeland Security (DOH). Discussions about autism issues led

to an invitation to present two sessions for DOH trainers at FLETC in

Glynco, Georgia in late February. Approximately 35 Department of Homeland

Security instructors were in attendance including upper level

administrators. The feedback was excellent and there were many fine

questions during Q & A. FLETC now has my training materials, book Autism,

Advocates and Law Enforcement Professionals and the new Autism & Law

Enforcement video for use at future training sessions.

FLETC trains over 40 federal agencies including the Secret Service,

Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Learn More about FLETC at:

http://www.fletc.gov/

____________________________________________________________________________

Autism & Law Enforcement Video News

Reviewed in FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin

Featured in Law Enforcement Product News magazine

In use by Philadelphia Police Department

The March, 2005 edition of the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin features two

reviews of the Autism & Law Enforcement video. The FBI Law Enforcement

Bulletin has a readership of over 200,000,and is considered the world's

leading cutting-edge publication on law enforcement issues.,

The reviews will be online soon at

http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/leb.htm

In the meantime, anyone who wants copies of the review can email me at

ddpi@... include a FAX number I'll FAX you a copy.

Here are excerpts:

Otto, Oregon Police Corps:

" The video Autism and Law Enforcement provides a quick and engaging

education in autism that can help increase safety for both officers and

individuals with autism, as well as minimize the potential for litigation

that could occur as a result of a misunderstanding. Interviews and vignettes

involving people with autism concretely convey the reality of how

challenging they can be to interact with and how vulnerable to crime and

exploitation they are.....After viewing this video, officers will be better

equipped to consider autism when assessing behavior during personal

encounters. "

M. Skinner, Chief, Port St. Lucie, Florida Police Department

" My review of Autism and Law Enforcement, a 21-minute video, not only

enlightened me as a police chief but made me immediately recognize it as a

valuable resource for all law enforcement officers. The producer, a law

enforcement veteran and father of a son with autism, maintains viewer

interest by providing clear concise bullet points about the nature of the

disability; how officers should approach an individual with autism; and what

to expect as a response from an officer's field interview....Autism and Law

Enforcement is an excellent tool that can raise awareness to promote

successful encounters with people who have autism. The complexities in the

mission of today's street officer demand an astute response to the differing

needs of citizens. This training video helps accomplish that goal. "

Law Enforcement Product News (LEPN) also featured the video in its

March-April 2005 edition. We've had a great deal of response as a result.

This also stemmed from discussions at the January ASLET conference.

To subscribe to LEPN:

http://www.tradepub.com/free/lepn/

Rzucidlo, a board member of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the

Autism Society of America reports that the Philadelphia Police Department is

now using the Autism and Law Enforcement Video and handout--in addition to

the Silent No More communication boards and GPC-ASA materials--to train all

sworn officers on autism. All materials were provided by the GPC-ASA.

For information visit:

Silent No More Web site at http://www.dol.net/~srz

A big thanks goes out to the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Law Enforcement

Product News, and the GPC-ASA!!!

Video Information and ordering options at:

http://www.autismriskmanagement.com/

Inquiries? Email ddpi@... or call . Brad may answer the

phone. Tell him Hi!

____________________________________________________________________________

Pensacola Police Department's Take Me Home Database

You may recall a report from the Summer 2004 Autism risk & Safety Newsletter

about the Pensacola Police Department's Take Me Home database. The Take Me

Home system is available to ALL law enforcement and public service agencies

free of charge!!!

Contact Crime Prevention Officer Jimmy Donohoe at or email

jdonohoe@...

Here's the report for those of you who may have missed it:

The seeds were sown for this innovative special needs assistance program

when Pensacola, Florida PD Officer Jimmy Donohoe attended a meeting of the

Panhandle Chapter of the Autism Society of America. Officer Donohoe heard

first-hand the concerns that many parents there had about their wandering

children who have autism. Officer Donohoe, also the parent of a special

needs son, decided then and there to do something to assist. He approached

Pensacola PD Chief Mathis who gave the green light to spearhead the

Take Me Home service.

The Pensacola PD worked in partnership with SmartCOP, a Pensacola-based law

enforcement technology and software company, to develop Take Me Home.

The Take Me Home system is a database that is maintained at the Pensacola PD

of persons who may need special assistance if they are alone. The system

includes a current, digital picture, demographic information and caregiver

contacts. If a person in the Take Me Home system is encountered by a

Pensacola Police Officer, the officer can query the Take Me Home system by

name or by the person's description to locate the person's Take Me home

enrollment record. With the information at hand the officer can

appropriately assist the person.

The Take Me Home system is designed for departments that utilize the

SmartCOP onboard patrol vehicle computer technology. Over-the-air

dispatching is minimized. Caregivers can be contacted by phone and provide

key information directly to the first responder. Take Me Home is, of course,

voluntary for those who participate.

The Pensacola Police Department was incepted in 1821 and continues to grow

not only in personnel but also in technology, training and community

outreach efforts. About Take Me Home, Chief Mathis recently said, " We are

excited to share with you this new service designed to provide enhanced

service and protection to our citizens. I strongly believe, and try to

instill the same philosophy in others, that it is by working together that

we can make Pensacola an even better place in which to live. "

When it comes to the Take Me Home program, Chief Mathis and the Pensacola PD

strive to make everywhere a better place to live.

Kudos to Chief Mathis, Inspector Wendell Rich and Officer Jimmy Donohoe for

creating Take Me Home. Write thanks to the Chief at:

Pensacola Police Department

711 North Haynes Street

Pensacola, FL 32501

Contact SmartCOP at: 270 North Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32502, phone

____________________________________________________________________________

When Words Are Not Enough

Curriculum Review by Dennis Debbaudt

When Words Are Not Enough: Communicating with individuals who have various

physical, psycho-social, developmental and learning disabilities that may be

adversely affecting communication

A Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded project administered by the

Woodside Fire Protection District, this training package is a fantastic tool

for all first responders. The scenes from the video where first responders

and students with disabilities get together in classrooms--not only to

review the safety and communication materials, but, most importantly, to get

to know each other in a safe, non stressful environment--were impressive and

are an extremely important component of every good training program. It's

these types of cross educational opportunities that drive home the message

to students that first responders are safe " go to " people in an emergency;

and helps the first responder clearly understand what the communication

difficulties look and sound like while not under the stress of a field

situation. Those scenes and the entire video, sent the message graphically,

and should be viewed by parents, educators and first responders everywhere.

The field laminates feature American Sign Language (ASL) graphics, pictures

and Spanish translations for key words including: " help " , " quite " , " wait " ,

and " friends " .

Our communities need more quality programs such as the outstanding training

curriculum " When Words Are Not Enough "

More Information from the When Words Are Not Enough flyer:

Program Design: This program is designed as an educational tool for fire

department ³first responders², children in special education classes and

other individuals who may have difficulty communicating during emergencies

because of a disability.

The video depicts emergency personnel using the communication strategies and

tools described in the manual. There is also a demonstration of each of the

basic symbols as an individual hand sign.

The manual with basic information about individuals with various

disabilities and communication difficulties a first responder may encounter

on a call involving these individuals (in addition to the manual, a one-hour

training session regarding the information is available upon request).

A communication booklet to be used on calls when necessary as well as an

adjunct to various educational presentations fire personnel provide to

individuals with disabilities.

A poster depicting ³first responders² as ³friends² The poster will include

both signs/icons and illustrations of first responders ³in action². These

posters are special reminders when placed in the fire station or in the

special education classrooms at schools.

How do I order a copy for my department: You may download or order the

curriculum in its entirety including the: video, instruction manual,

symbol/sign booklet and the poster from www.woodsidefire.org.

For further program information or to request program materials, contact

Enea, Fire Marshal, Woodside Fire Protection District at 650 851-1594

or denea@... .

____________________________________________________________________________

__________________________

Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership

Next year's autism & law enforcement conference will feature sessions that

address spectrum public safety risks and criminal justice issues. People

with Asperger syndrome (AS) are sure to part of the discussions and,

hopefully, presenters, too.

I get a lot of calls from autism and AS families seeking help during

crisis.Thankfully, a growing number national and international spectrum

groups are addressing issues of safety and risk. In the AS community, one

such group, run by and for self advocates with AS, is the Global and

Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership.

GRASP chapters are forming throughout the U.S. and globally. I can't think

of a better partnership than one that includes persons on the spectrum,

their families, and professionals in law enforcement, first response and

criminal justice.

If you are seeking Asperger syndrome support, check out GRASP. You won't be

sorry!

Contact:

Carley

Executive Director

GRASP

The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership, Inc.

135 East 15th Street

New York, NY 10003

-fax

mjcarley@...

www.grasp.org

____________________________________________________________________________

Autism Spectrum & Law Enforcement Training in Maine

With a course approved by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, U.S. Federal

Probation Officer, Matt Brown has been traveling the state of Maine for over

a year educating law enforcers and first responders about the autism

spectrum. Matt's delivered the training to officers at municipal police

departments, as well as for state troopers, state probation officers, EMS

and fire personnel, search and rescue pros, park rangers, ER personnel and

special educators. He co-presents with Conner, a young man with

Asperger syndrome. brings his personal views and powerful stories to

these presentations. Matt, as the parent of a spectrum son, also brings the

personal side to the Maine training sessions.

These sessions--and the Autism and Law Enforcement video--have been featured

on broadcast TV reports in Portland. Maine and are supported by the autism

Society of Maine

Wishing the best of everything to Matt Brown and Conner!

Contact Matt Brown at:

rmb@...

____________________________________________________________________________

Rising Bird Productions

Soler & Brant Dutton of Rising Bird Productions of Eugene, Oregon

wish the Autism Community all the best during the New Year!! They are the

talented duo who created the site for the video.

Rising Bird Productions are top notch Design, Publishing, Business Services

and Photography Professionals.

and Brant are part of the autism community!! Consider using them for

your web, ad or graphic design needs. And tell Oem Dennis sent you!!

Check out their web site at:

http://www.RisingBird.net/

____________________________________________________________________________

Dennis Debbaudt Calendar :

April 28 & 29, Boise and Nampa, Idaho & Richelle Tierney

jrat@...

Sponsored by the Treasure Valley Autism Society

May 2nd Portland, Oregon email Genevieve Athens athensc@...

May 3rd Eastern Oregon email Donna Helman dhelman@...

May 5th Eugene, Oregon email Sgt. Don McGuire Don.McGuire@...

Sponsored by the Autism Society of Oregon

Eugene session sponsored by the Lane County Sheriff's Office

May 11th Albuquerque, New Mexico

Sponsored by the SouthWest Autism Network at the University of New Mexico

and the New Mexico Autism Society

Contact:

" Cal "

Manager, Health Education

SouthWest Autism Network

Center for Development and Disability

University of New Mexico

karwright@...

May 16th Kansas City email: ddpi@...

May 18th Cape Girardeau, Missouri email: DSeger@...

May 19th Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

http://www.dmh.missouri.gov/ada/provider/sti/05stiBrochure.pdf#search='natio

nal%20symposium%20on%20autism'

May 20th St. Louis email: ddpi@...

May 23rd-25th Project Lifesaver Conference, Braintree, Massachusetts

http://www.projectlifesaver.org

_______________________________________________________

Now Booking Dennis Debbaudt Conference and Training Sessions 2005 and

beyond!

Inquiries? Email: ddpi@... or call (Brad may answer

phone) for updates, new bookings or to schedule an event. Background at

http://www.autismriskmangement.com/

Autism & Law Enforcement Resources

Book

Autism, Advocates & Law Enforcement Professionals: Recognizing and Reducing

Risk Situations for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Dennis

Debbaudt, Kingsley Publishers 2001 ISBN # 1-85302-980-7

Online Articles

Contact With Individuals With Autism by Debbaudt & Rothman, FBI Law

Enforcement Bulletin April 2001

Edited for Sheriff Magazine Issue March-April 2002

http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2194/is_4_70/ai_75959751

Beyond Guilt or Innocence

EK Shriver Center LEND Journal, 2004

http://www.mnip-net.org/ddlead.nsf/TrimTOC/BeyondGuiltorInnocen

Video

Autism & Law Enforcement Roll Call Briefing Video

Debbaudt/Legacy Productions, 2004

http://www.risingbird.net/asr/email.html

Excerpts/clips from the video can be seen at the Dan Marino Foundation web

site. Please note that this is online TV and not perfect. The video itself

is top quality VHS and full length of 21 minutes. Link to clips:

http://sar.c.topica.com/maachkfaa65rEa7mHtqb/

For further information, conference and workshop bookings:

Dennis Debbaudt, 2338 SE Holland Street, Port St. Lucie FL 34952

Phone 772/398-9756 (son with autism may answer phone)

Email ddpi@...

http://www.autismriskmanagement.com/

____________________________________________________________________________

A personal note and THANKS!!

The national and international attention now being given to autism spectrum

issues of risk and safety has been fantastic. without having to lobby for

legislation, federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security

and the FBI, as well as many state and local law enforcement training

centers and agencies are working with our advocacy groups, forming

partnerships and sharing information. This should be very encouraging for

all of us.

Again and always, I want to thank my wife Gay and son Brad for allowing me

to get out here and do this work. They've been behind my efforts for

fourteen years and counting and I rely on them as my anchors.

Brad's acting was terrific in the video! He also had his one year

celebration at work, and also celebrated his one-gallon mark with the South

Florida Blood Bank. Every 52 days he happily gives blood. We're extremely

proud of him!

Enjoy the Spring warm-up!!

The newsletter will be back soon.

I'm always seeking feedback, advice and information. Please send it my way!

This newsletter is sent out occasionally. To subscribe or be removed,

send an email to ddpi@...

Please circulate far and wide!