Autism Safety Training for First Responders 

Free training session to increase first responders’ knowledge of autism and provide practical tips & strategies for use in the field. Suggested audiences include law enforcement officers, fire department personnel, EMT/paramedics, search & rescue teams, school & community safety organizations, etc. and the training can be customized.

Colleen Shinn, Manager and Community Outreach-Midwest of Autism Speaks, will be the one giving the presentation.

Colleen Shinn is the Manager of Community Outreach for the Midwest Region in the Family Services division of Autism Speaks.  Prior to joining Autism Speaks, she most recently worked for Easter Seals as the Training Specialist and Manager of The Autism Program (TAP) Service Centers for Chicago and Rockford.  During her tenure as TAP Manager, she participated in the Chicago Police Department Juvenile Justice Committee and co-hosted a safety fair with their Crisis Intervention Team.  Colleen has also conducted Autism trainings throughout the Chicagoland area with Police Departments, CIT training programs, and Judicial courts. She received certification and conducted training through NEMRT (North East Multi-Regional Training organization.)  She currently collaborates with NCMEC (the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children,) Project Lifesaver and other First Responders throughout the Midwest to perform trainings and community safety fairs as a part of the Autism Speaks Family Services Strategic Plan.

In addition to aforementioned duties, she was responsible for the development and implementation  of curriculum and staff development, comprehensive professional training for employees, families and professionals, supervision of full and part time employees, interns and clinical staff, local and national legislative activities, coordinating and leading the Autism Strategic Planning Committee, and extensive community outreach.  Ms. Shinn is formally trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS,) and DIR Floortime.  She is an active member on the Coalition Against Sexual Abuse of Children with Disabilities through the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, the Midwest Autism Consortium, and the Illinois Autism Task Force.

Ms. Shinn is fluent in Sign Language and is a Board Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant with an extensive background in Autism Spectrum Disorders.  She has more than 30 years of experience working directly with individuals of all ages affected by Autism as well as their families and caregivers and has presented both locally and nationally on topics related to Autism.