image courtesy of cjonline.com

Autism and Shoplifting

image courtesy of cjonline.com

image courtesy of cjonline.com

The holiday season is finally upon us. For most civilians that means family gatherings, Black Friday deals, tons of decadent treats, trimming the tree and more. For some public safety personnel, it means an increase in public disturbance and shoplifting calls.

How does Autism fit into this?

There are a few things to consider. At first you may get called for someone “acting strangely.” A retailer might read certain behaviors as suspicious and assume the person with autism has intent to steal or cause trouble. Some behaviors you may encounter include:

  • Methodically walking through the store in a certain pattern
  • Rearranging or lining up items on shelves
  • Staring at displays, lights or ceiling fans
  • Opening and closing doors
  • Appearing nervous and agitated
  • Unable to wait in line for their turn to pay
  • Pushing someone out of the way to obtain an item
  • Sitting on the floor rocking back and forth covering ears

Due to an obsessive need for an object, sensory overwhelm from the environment, or self-control issues that cause an inability to wait in line, a person with autism may grab an object and leave the store with it. More often than not, they are completely unaware that they have committed a crime.

Occasionally, you may also uncover that a thief has sent someone with autism into a store to retrieve an item for them. Autistic people can be eager to please and are usually compliant and trusting.

While these behaviors appear as vandalism, plotting to steal, or bullying, they are usually part of impulsive behaviors that can often accompany autism. Unlike a typical shoplifter, an autistic person will most likely walk right out of the store with the item completely visible. They will not hide it or sneak it into their clothing.

These are not excuses, of course. I am most certainly not telling you to let a person march into a store, display disruptive behaviors and walk out without paying for merchandise simply because they are autistic and may not be able to help themselves.  What I am saying is, if you respond to a call for someone acting strangely and they are carrying out repetitive behaviors or seem “tuned out,” consider the possibility that something else is going on.

Evaluate the behavior, look for alternative IDs or communication devices, get them to a quiet, safe place and contact their caregiver if possible.

Tantrum vs meltdown

Weekly Autism Tips for Emergency Responders – Sensory Meltdown Vs. Tantrum

Tantrum vs meltdownHey, Spirit of Autism family! I appreciate your patience regarding the fact that I’ve not been able to keep the Blog up to date while finishing Advanced EMT school. It’s been quite a ride but I’m nearly there! I can see a light (or is it flashing lights?) at the end of the tunnel…

I’m going to be transitioning the Blog to focus more on Autism Training Tips for Emergency Responders, Autism Safety Tips (for families and responders alike) and Emergency Preparedness for Autism Households. Previously the focus was on parents and caregivers only, which made it very confusing for those landing on my website, seeing that I do training for emergency responders, but solely reading about my journey as a parent. I will still be sharing lots of stories and personal experiences and of course adding my experiences and perspective as a parent – how could I not? My main focus, however, is to get critical information into the hands of emergency responders that have not yet taken my training course. To do this, I need to start offering it here.

If you have friends and family members in public safety, healthcare security, disaster response, or similar fields, please point them to the website! I want to go beyond local training efforts and start making a global difference.

So, the first in the Weekly Autism Tips for Emergency Responders [W.A.T.E.R.] series is… (sound the horns)…

Sensory Meltdown Vs. Tantrum

When I introduce my course objectives to class recipients, I talk about the definition of Autism, starting with what Autism is NOT. It is not a mental illness and it is not a behavior issue. At this point, students typically turn their heads and look at each other questioningly, as if I’m speaking Swahili. If I had a nickel for every time my son’s inability to cope with an overwhelming sensory environment was labeled a temper tantrum or behavior disorder. And I’m not just talking bystanders, this has happened with Special Ed teachers and pediatric neurologists.

I am a single mom. I’m not going to sit here and tell you that my child has never had a tantrum or behavioral outburst. He’s a BOY. With lots of ENERGY. Going through PUBERTY. Of course there have been times he’s tested those in authority. That’s what teenagers do.

Even knowing all I do about Sensory Processing issues, it is still a fine line to walk when discerning a sensory meltdown and an actual tantrum. I want to help arm you with some real, tangible signs and symptoms to help you tell the difference. Recognizing the physiological differences may change your response and radically alter the outcome of a situation. I’m not ever going to tell you to go against your local protocol or training and put yourself in danger. I’m talking about some really good scene size-up tools to help you respond in the safest way possible for all parties.

Signs and Symptoms of both a Tantrum and Meltdown

If you are just looking at the surface, it is challenging to tell what’s going on – the signs of both tantrums and meltdowns may present as screaming, kicking, shouting, stomping, swearing, biting, throwing, or hitting (either others or self-injurious behavior). Let’s go a little deeper:

A Tantrum typically occurs when a person wants something

A Meltdown is a response to environmental sensory overload or feeling extremely overwhelmed

During a Tantrum the person frequently checks to make sure you are paying attention to their behavior

During a Meltdown the person does not care if anyone is paying attention, they cannot stop themselves

A person acts this way in front of an audience during a Tantrum (behavior will cease when no one is looking)

During a Meltdown the behavior will continue with or without an audience

A Tantrum will cease abruptly once the person gets what they want

In a Meltdown situation, there is no goal – the behavior will cease only when the person can self-calm or when someone helps them regain control

In a Tantrum, there are no residual autonomic nervous system signs following the behavior; the person returns to normal activity within 5 minutes

A Meltdown will yield residual symptoms such as red ears, sweating, and dialated pupils; it takes 45-60 minutes for a person to return to normal following a sensory meltdown

Remember that someone experiencing a sensory meltdown is in survival mode – they are battling their environment and it is pure physical and psychological torture. Their senses are on fire and they have little control over themselves. No one chooses to be in a meltdown, and when you understand what’s happening to the nervous system and help someone through it your are not “giving in to” or “reinforcing” negative behavior. You are throwing someone a LIFELINE.

Stay tuned for future tips to learn more about Sensory Meltdowns and how you can most safely intervene.

SOA Web TV

Spirit of Autism Web TV Episode 1 – Summer Safety

As parents and caregivers of someone with Autism, you know as well as I do that safety is a concern year-round. However, it is heightened during the summer. This premier episode of Spirit of Autism Web TV focuses on two vital aspects of summer safety: wandering and emergency preparedness. Join me as I interview Erin and Bruce Wilson of QR Code ID and my friend, Austin Harris, about how to prepare your 72-hour kit to be prepared for what this crazy severe weather may bring to your neighborhood!

Thanks for tuning in! Look for the next episode on Wednesday, August 13 at 9:45 pm on AmericanHeartsRadio.com. We’ll be talking about transitioning back to school among other great topics!

AutismWithebiTaylorJuly9th1stEpisode2014

Tune In to My New Autism Web TV Series

AutismWithebiTaylorJuly9th1stEpisode2014Has it really been over TWO months since I’ve reached out to you? Wow. My sincerest apologies. Lots has been brewing in Spirit of Autism land! I’ve had the honor of providing in-service Autism training to the Stone Mountain Police Department as well as the District 8 Georgia Police Chiefs in Villa Rica, GA. All officers that attended received P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) credit for the course, so we are really making strides in the Emergency Responder training arena!

Coming up I will be doing a “Train the Trainer” Autism course for the Georgia Institute of EMS, in which they will also receive continuing education credit. We will soon be launching an online version of the training course with a test and certificate of completion available for Law Enforcement and EMS.

Now for the really fun announcement… I’ve got a new web TV series! I’ve joined forces with American Hearts Radio, a family-friendly company on a great mission, offering live worldwide radio broadcasts, live events and WEB TV productions to people with a real message to share.

My new 30-minute series will air on the second Wednesday of each month at 9:45 pm EST. Don’t worry if you can’t stay awake that late! As an Autism parent I know we need to grab sleep whenever we can get it ;) The show will be available to watch on the American Hearts Radio website, on YouTube and right here on my Blog.

Premiering July 9, the first show will focus on Autism and Summer Safety. I’ll have in the studio with me guest Austin Harris, my sidekick in the Fire Rescue Reserve and Emergency Responder training. We’ll be talking about Disaster Preparedness and how you need to be even MORE prepared when you have a child or family member with Autism. I’m also honored to be airing an interview with Erin Wilson from QR Code ID. We’ll be discussing all the great products they created for loved ones who wander. You won’t want to miss this! Summer can be a chaotic and harrowing time for Autism families… we’ll let you know how to make sure it’s a safe time!

Looking for Sponsors

American Hearts Radio produces commercials for your business that will be placed on live Radio show daily spins and re-runs, as well as a video version that will appear on all social networks, other shows and the AHR website.

As a local sponsor you will also be invited on local WEB TV Shows in Atlanta to promote your business.

If you’re looking for a way to drive potential buyers to your website American Hearts Radio.com does exactly that. Contact me for more info if you’re interested… it’s extremely affordable!

 

J-Bird2

Operation Get Autism Training – Calling All Volunteers

J-Bird2Happy New Year! I’ve got a special announcement for you – something I’ve been working on diligently over the last several weeks. It’s finally ready…

Operation Get Autism Training is here.

As you know, I’m the parent of a very special boy with Autism, and also an Emergency Responder. I have a unique perspective – I’ve relied on Emergency personnel in times where my son has wandered, received injuries, or caused a public disturbance. I’ve also responded to incidents involving these very same situations.

Without understanding what to look for, Emergency Responders may mistake your child’s behavior and symptoms for drug use, mental illness or non-compliance. What could happen? They may get injured, thrown in jail… or worse.

Over the past four years I have developed multiple customized training programs for Disaster Responders (CERT), Police Departments, Fire Departments, Campus/School Security, EMTs, and even department heads at large a tourist/event facility.

I have had the privilege of training these willing and enthusiastic groups myself and I’ve loved every minute of it. I know I am making a difference in people’s lives every time I teach this program.

But it’s no longer enough. I’m getting tired of the senseless shootingsmissing children reports and Amber alerts, and severely escalated incidents involving Autistic children that are part of today’s frightening reality and now I need your help.

I’ve put together a call for volunteers – Autism Warrior Moms and Dads like me – to come together and make a global difference.

Operation Get Autism Training Goals for 2014:

  • Build a Fierce, Dedicated Team of Volunteers
  • Obtain Accreditation for EMS Continuing Education
  • Obtain P.O.S.T. Certification for Law Enforcement Continuing Education
  • Seek Out and Obtain Corporate Sponsorships
  • Press Releases and National Media Reach
  • Research and Apply for Grants and Funding for Training Materials
  • Create a Video Training Series
  • Get as Many Agencies and Responders Trained as Possible

It’s time to reach beyond our home towns. I can’t do this alone. I need a team behind me with me that’s ready to make a difference. Together we can make this happen.  So if you’re passionate about not only helping your own child but the thousands of children that don’t have a voice – join me. Volunteer with Operation Get Autism Training today and let’s get our Emergency Responders trained!

Click through to this page to sign upWe will have regular conference calls, a private Facebook group to collaborate, share and inspire, and I know we can bring our individual strengths to the table to create a movement together!

autism safety training

Ch-ch-ch-changes Coming for Autism Safety Training

Wondering where I’ve been? (Me, too. No, wait – that’s my sanity! That’s what’s been missing…) I’ve been agonizing over not bringing you my usual stories, tips and tools on a regular basis. I apologize, it’s been a very challenging summer.

My son has had a mystery illness for eight weeks that is taking all my time and energy at the moment. Who needs sleep? I’m happy to report the situation is letting up some, no thanks to the $1,000+ I’ve spent on doctors so far! Please keep up your prayers and positive thoughts for us :)

Aside from all that, I wanted to let you know what’s in the works…

Big News for Spirit of Autism

I’ve recently been called to serve the Autism community in a new way. I’ve already stepped into this new calling and I’m excited to keep the momentum going!

My Autism Training program for Emergency Responders has gained a lot of buzz and credibility in the community, especially since I just graduated the Citizen Police Academy and have become a Volunteer in Police Service. Being a part of this side of public safety rounds out my fire rescue and medic experience nicely and helps me reach more recruits, officers and detectives with this vital information.

The biggest joy for me has been the recent requests for custom versions of my training outside of public safety, including:

The schools in my county are suggesting I train their social workers, guidance counselors and administrators. Wow! Being able to customize the training for different groups while maintaining the integrity of the information has inspired me to reach out to additional businesses to participate in the training:

  • Daycare Centers
  • Campus Staff and Security
  • Event Facilities
  • Mall Security
  • Healthcare Facilities
  • Airline / Airport Employees

This is so exciting for me to be able to create not just Autism awareness but Autism action.

Asked to Never Return Again…

Personally, my son and I have been kicked out of so many retail establishments, restaurants, and festivals / parties because the staff did not understand the behaviors they were seeing. The school used to call me three times a week to pick him up during the school day because they couldn’t “reel in his behavior”. Even Delta Airlines asked us never to return when my son was three because he was having trouble sitting still in his seat and his ears hurt. I haven’t gotten on a plane in 8 years because of this. He wasn’t even being that disruptive in many of these situations!

It’s time to stop being left out. It’s time to stop avoiding public spaces with my family because business owners and employees are afraid of what they don’t understand.

 

Keep your eyes open for the launch of the NEW Spirit of Autism website. I will still offer practical tips and tools and some products for parents and caregivers, but it won’t be the main focus. I will still keep up the Blog, send great recipes and recommendations in my newsletter, and offer more Emergency Preparedness information for Autism families.

The new site will have a special section for Autism Safety Training for Businesses and more in-depth information for Emergency Responders. I am also launching GetAutismTraining.com to go hand in hand with this movement. Additionally, I will be looking for corporations to sponsor or offer scholarships for some of the Emergency Responders and smaller businesses that do not have the budget for this training program but really need it.

Keep your eyes peeled! I’m also open to more ideas from you – what other types of businesses or groups do you think could benefit from my Autism Safety Training program? Share by commenting below or posting to the SOA Facebook page!

Why Emergency Responder Education – Part I

My son was 18 months old. He was standing next to my bed, humming, as I was folding laundry and separating the piles. Then he walked out. In the time it took me to fold a pair of jeans, this child had walked to the other end of the house, found my keys, figured out which one was the car key (!), went outside, opened the trunk, and climbed in. NO EXAGGERATION.

Around that same time period, I remember driving to an errand, both kids in the back seat, and glanced in my rear view mirror with horror to see my son “surfing” on the arms of his car seat, yet the restraints were still fastened. Holy Houdini! (I went through about three of four different models of car seats that year trying to find a straitjacket-level security device!)

In First Grade, I dropped him off at school, walked halfway with him to his class (the IEP requested we start to assert some independence in the mornings… ha!) and went on my merry way after kisses and high fives like usual. It just so happened that I forgot something from the house. Coincidentally, I also needed gas that morning and went left instead of right, passing the school again. About four blocks from the school, in a direction I normally never would have traveled, was my son, walking with his backpack and singing, without a care in the world. He apparently walked right out of the building after we parted in the hallway, and the teacher assumed he was absent that day… AHHHHHH!!!! No one knew! Imagine what could have happened if I turned right that day!!!!

So these are some crises that sprouted unexpectedly within the structure of a normal day. What if there was a fire in your home, or you were in an auto accident? What if you were hit with severe weather or a natural disaster? What if your child with Autism creates a public disturbance? How would a police officer deal with him or her?

Would an emergency responder recognize the signs of Autism in your child, or would they treat them as if they were mentally ill, on drugs, or non-compliant?

Why Emergency Responder Training is Needed

Many children on the Spectrum have no visible signs of a disorder. An average child in appearance with socially unacceptable behavior that no one understands can lead to a nightmare if public safety is involved. Your child may get pushed around, put in jail, injured, or worse.

It’s vital for emergency responders to identify the signs and behaviors of Autism and learn how to make your child feel as safe and non-threatened as possible to avoid a perilous outcome. Police Officers, Firefighters, and EMTs learn about alcoholics, diabetics, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation. With as many as 1 in 70 children being diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum today, the time has come for everyone to understand! This should be part of standard training. That’s why I am called to begin such training in my own county and work my way out.

Do you think a Firefighter, EMT, or Police Officer would know how to communicate with or understand your child in an emergency? Feel free to comment below!

Stay tuned for Part II of this post… behaviors, tips, and what you can do in YOUR community to help emergency responders learn more!