Autism Society of Indiana donates Emergency Communication Boards to St. Joseph County Police

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - The Autism Society of Indiana donated 150 Emergency Communication Boards to the St. Joseph County Police Department to help first responders communicate with individuals who may not be responding to verbal instructions during an emergency.

Those who are non-verbal, on the autism spectrum, or are feeling overwhelmed or confused can benefit from these boards, police said.

The boards were purchased through grants and private donations for distribution among law enforcement and fire departments in Indiana.

"I want to thank the Autism Society for providing this low-tech but effective tool for our police officers and jail staff," said Sheriff Redman. "Our officers often deal with non-responsive individuals lacking oral communication abilities for one reason or another. These picture boards provide our officers with a quickly accessible and easy to use means to figure out what emergency or need that individual is dealing with. The boards will be a valuable tool for our department.”

All county police officers are required to complete a yearly training on how to respond to calls involving individuals with autism, Alzheimer's, dementia, and others at risk of wandering or becoming lost.

Officers who regularly work in schools or are school resource officers complete a more in-depth training focused on kids with autism and Asperger's syndrome.

Click here for more information on Emergency Communication Boards.