EMU’s Autism Collaborative Center and Police Department to Co-host Specialized Autism Safety Training Oct. 17 for Professionals in Law Enforcement,…

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EMU's Autism Collaborative Center and Police Department to Co-host Specialized Autism Safety Training Oct. 17 for Professionals in Law Enforcement, Health Care, Child Protective Services and Firefighters

YPSILANTI, Mich., Sept. 29 -- Eastern Michigan University issued the following news release:

Eastern Michigan University's Autism Collaborative Center (ACC) and the EMU police department will co-host the program, Michigan Autism Safety Training, Oct. 17, at EMU. The program will be geared toward professionals in law enforcement, emergency medical services, child protective services and fire fighters.

Two free sessions are scheduled Oct. 17, one from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and a second class from 3 -5:30 p.m. at the Eastern Michigan Student Center, 900 Oakwood St., Ypsilanti.

Sgt. Scott Schuelke, a retired Lansing police officer and autism safety specialist with the Autism Alliance of Michigan, will be the instructor. Schuelke and Lisa Grost, autism administrator for the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Autism Program, developed the training.

Participants will:

* Expand their knowledge of autism and autistic behaviors

* Increase their recognition skills of persons with autism

* Acquire information and tips on how to effectively interact with persons on the autism spectrum, their families and care providers

* Learn community outreach strategies to increase autism awareness and safety.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 1 in 68 American children are on the Autism spectrum. Research indicates people with autism are seven times more likely to be in contact with law enforcement.

"There are many situations that could have been handled differently if the police had known about autism and the response strategies to apply to them," said Schuelke, a 25-year veteran. "Our goal is to increase knowledge of autism and risk management safety techniques of those in law enforcement and emergency services."

He has trained more than 9,000 professionals in law enforcement, emergency services, school districts, community organizations and families since the program began in 2011.

To register, go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/9SY7VDH or call the Autism Collaborative Center at 734-487-2890.

Training is made possible through the Autism Alliance of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Community Health, Eastern Michigan's Autism Collaborative Center and the Eastern Michigan University Department of Public Safety. The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Michigan Sheriffs' Association and the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority have endorsed the program.

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