By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on February 9, 2018
ALBANY people living with autism will be among the first to trial a new level of support and security provided by a simple identification card.
The Autism Alert Card initiative was instigated by Great Southern Police District Superintendent Dominic Wood in collaboration with local disability services, and is designed to aid emergency responders to identify people on the autism spectrum, in order to adapt their approach to people with autism in an emergency situation.
Supt Wood said when people with autism are in a stressful situation, their behaviour, which can include eye contact avoidance and anxious behaviour, may suggest to emergency responders that the person is potentially threatening.
The alert card will prompt responders to the person’s condition and allow them to tailor their approach.
As a parent to a child with autism, Supt Wood said he was extremely proud to officially launch the initiative, which is the first of its kind for WA Police.
He said the card was “two-fold” in its purpose, providing security for the alert card holder, as well as giving crucial aid to first responders in a situation which includes a person with autism.
Twenty-one-year-old Darrian Graham is on the autism spectrum and said the alert card was a great idea, as he says not everyone understands autism.
However, for Darrian’s mother Di, it’s about the reassurance the alert card can provide her when her son goes out on his own.
“Darrian’s a young adult now, so he wants to go out more on his own and with his friends,” she said.
“This card can offer me reassurance that he can be out in the community and people will put his safety first.
“It’s empowering for both the child and parents, because there’s such a gap of understanding in the community about autism.”
To obtain an autism alert card, you can contact the Autism Support Network of Albany on 0408 914 324 or visit the Great Southern Police District office on Stirling Terrace.
