Orange County autism initiative aimed at alerting first responders during calls

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County autism initiative aimed at alerting first responders during calls

Advocates for people with autism say misconceptions about this developmental disability are one of the biggest challenges that families face.

That’s why they call a decal program underway at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, “life-saving.”

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The new initiative is aimed at alerting first responders that there is a person with autism inside a home or vehicle.

The sheriff’s office is providing decals free of charge to anyone in unincorporated Orange County who wants to place them near the front door of their home or in the rear window of their car.

Since this program began this spring, the sheriff’s office has had thousands of requests for this decal.

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To request a free decal, CLICK HERE.

The decals will alert first responders that there is a person with autism inside the home or vehicle.

“The more information our deputies have when they respond to calls, the better,” said Sheriff John Mina.

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Deputies said the decals will enable Orange County sheriff’s deputies to draw on their autism training and understand that there is a person in the home or car who may not speak, respond to or comply with verbal commands, and who may hide, wander off, or have no awareness of danger.

To date, the Autism Society has trained 38,000 officers at almost 100 agencies across the state, how to best handle encounters with autism.

“Autism is rarely spoken about until something bad happens,” said Donna Lorman of the Autism Society of Greater Orlando. “If we can make our children safe and partner with police officers to know that the children and our police officers go home safe every day, then that’s what we need to do.”

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For those who would like to register for the program but do not wish to affix the decal, you can fill out this form HERE and request zero decals.

According to deputies, your address will be added to the dispatch system so deputies will be aware that a person with autism lives in the home.

If you don’t live in Orange County, similar decals and wristbands are available through the Autism Society of Greater Orlando by CLICKING HERE.

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If you have any questions, please contact OCSO at OCSOautism@ocfl.net.

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