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Description of the Course:

Autism Safe Encounters Training Course will teach and facilitate group discussion on early intervention public education program to show clinicians, first responders, family members, and persons with Autism how safely engage during crisis. The training will include teaching participants to recognize the signs and symptoms that may suggest the person with whom they are engaging has Autism or other invisible disabilities. It will help participants to identify and empathically respond to person that may be in crisis. Additionally, the course models safe engagement with a person with Autism during a crisis and offers tips on referring the person to other appropriate professional support and services as needed. They also train individuals living with a disability, parents, and community partners to recognize the role that clinicians and first responders play in keeping them safe and encourages participants to allow first responders to do so. Participants will discuss case scenarios that pose safety dilemmas and their potential solutions in community, family, clinician, and first responder, and school settings.

Safe Encounters Training was created in 2020 by Pamela and Thomas Goines, educators, parent advocates, researchers, and speakers on the topic of Autism. In 2020, after their adult son with Autism got his license, they contacted their local Evandale Police department to inform them of his new driving and asked that they help to keep him safe. The Chief suggested that Thomas and Pamela not only train their department but all first responders in the area and that is when Safe Encounters Training Not for Profit was established.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the purpose of Autism Safe Encounters Training and the role of the role it plays in helping first responders and people with Autism to safely interact during emergencies. 
2. Identify and provide support for the challenges of Autism places on the well-being of people in the U.S. 
3. Describe the principles of safety, empathy, and privacy for both the first responder and the person receiving support. 
4. Introduce Code Autism that can assist first responders in support a person with Autism’s recovery from a sensory meltdown towards effective engagement. 
5. Explain and apply the 6 steps to Autism Safe Encounters Training Action Plan and the supports needed to reduce impact of virtual and live crisis situations.

Presenter: Pamela Goines, MEd., Certified Life Coach

Continuing Education (CEU) Information:

Mental Health America of NKY & SWOH is an approved sponsor of continuing education by the Kentucky Board of Social Work (KBSWSP 202211).

This program has been submitted to the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for continuing education units.