Autism Safety Training Workshop for First Responders
This training workshop is for first responders, which may include law enforcement officers, firefighters, search-and-rescue professionals, paramedics, dispatchers, missing-child agencies, and anyone who may need to respond to an emergency involving a child or adult with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The main objective of this workshop is to provide First Responders with a clear understanding of:
- Autism Basics: a general overview of ASD and its unique safety risks
- Autism & Wandering: statistics, dangers, and best practices for intake & response
- Tracking Technology: what’s available, how it works, and how to get it
- Search Tools: what’s available in your area, and how it could help the special-needs population
- Reducing Risk: prevention of primary and secondary risks involving a person with ASD
Speakers include representatives from the National Autism Association, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Fully Involved Autism Training and LoJack SafetyNet.
Attendees will receive a certificate of training.
Workshop Details:
When: Thursday, Nov. 13th from 1-5pm
Where: National Autism Conference, Tradewinds Island Grand Resort, St. Pete Beach, FL.
Cost: $35 per person – refreshments will be provided. Registration fee is non-refundable.
Host: National Autism Association
Presenters:
Lori McIlwain | Presentation Slides
Lori McIlwain has a 14-year-old son with Autism and is Co-founder and Executive Director of the National Autism Association (NAA). In 2007, Lori began advocating for federal resources that would reduce and eliminate emotional trauma, injuries and deaths associated with autism-related wandering/elopement. She has also advocated for federal laws that would eliminate dangerous restraint and seclusion practices in public and private schools. Through NAA, she has launched multiple safety initiatives and direct-assistance programs.
Ed Russo
Ed Russo is the Program Manager for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Mr. Russo works with educators, law enforcement, private security personnel, community leaders, and government officials to implement child safety presentations in schools and communities. Through presentations and trainings at local and national conferences, Mr. Russo provides participants with information about how safety resources can help prevent the abduction and victimization of children. He conducts train the trainer modules for community partners to deliver NetSmartz Internet safety, Take 25, Back To School safety, and CrossMatch Digital Child ID programs for children and parents. Mr. Russo also presents collaboratively with the FBI on the topic of Crimes Against Children. Prior to joining the Center he was a Supervisor in the Felony Division of a Florida County Clerk’s Office and has over 19 years of teaching experience. Mr. Russo is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a BS degree in Education.
Jeffrey Green
Co-Owner and instructor with Fully Involved Autism Training LLC. Jeff has been in the fire service since 2001, and is a Lieutenant with Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue. He has three sons, including his middle son, Brody, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in December of 2011.
Scott Jurasz
Co-Owner and instructor with Fully Involved Autism Training LLC. Scott is a a Fire Dispatcher for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and has been in the fire service since 1995. His daughter, Kayleigh, was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2.
Scott Martin
Scott is the Director of the SafetyNet Division at LoJack Corporation based in Canton, Massachusetts. SafetyNet is a specialized entity at LoJack under the Law Enforcement Group and is a program for tracking people with cognitive conditions who go missing.
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