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- For use to enhance communications between law enforcement and people with autism or others who are non-verbal.
World Autism Awareness Day is Wednesday, April 2 this year. Actually, it’s celebrated annually on April 2nd each year. It is not just celebrated or recognized in the United States but was formalized by the United Nations in 2007 and is celebrated by all member nations of that organization.
As you go about your day, and actually throughout the month as April has been recognized as Autism Awareness month, there are a number of symbols and other indicators that you should be alert for.
Puzzle Pieces: The Puzzle Piece symbol is recognized as representing autism awareness and was created by people, some with autism, to represent the complexity and mystery of autism. The puzzle piece symbol was first used in 1963 by the National Autistic Society in the United Kingdom. It has since become recognized worldwide.
The color Blue: The color blue has been associated with autism and autism awareness/support because blue is considered a calming color. It is sometimes used to help individuals with autism feel more relaxed and comfortable.
Often, aside from the color blue, you’ll also see multiple other colors such as red, yellow, green, purple and others. Often you’ll see these colors as puzzle pieces, all fit together and sometimes in the shape of a ribbon, much like the many cancer research ribbons you see. The multi-colored puzzle pieces and the ribbon crafted from them are also symbols of autism awareness.
The last one we’ll mention is the infinity symbol. When used, the infinity symbol is meant to inspire thoughts of inclusivity for people on the autism spectrum and you may see it displayed with the multiple colors mentioned in a rainbow format, or you might see it as a single solid color in a context that makes its meaning obvious.
In today’s world, the diagnoses of autism continue to grow. No matter your politics, your beliefs on what might be causing it, or if you simply realize that as we get better at recognizing and diagnosing the differences, the number of people with autism continues to grow. Knowing that, it behooves every law enforcement professional to learn about it, and to educate themselves on how to best serve that segment of our community.
To that end, OFFICER Media Group, in our March/April issue, published a removable page that is designed as a communication board. Accompanying that page is an “explainer” page on how to use it. The board was created by Ms. Heather Zerbe, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA and ISLE specialist teacher in Maryland. She built the board in conjunction with DFC Ryan Spalding (Calvert County, MD Sheriff's Office) who serves as the School Resource Officer where Ms. Zerbe works. Their intent was to create a useful tool to assist both law enforcement professionals communicate with people with autism and the other way around. Communication is a two-way street, and the board is designed to be useful to both people in a conversation.
That board and the explainer article that goes with it are also available for download HERE at no charge. That link will let you download the communication board and the explainer as a PDF. We recommend that you download it and print the two-sided communication board on a single sheet of paper. Then laminate it and get a dry-erase marker so you can write in the section of the board designed for that (if you read the explainer and look at the board you’ll understand).
We’d like to thank Ms. Zerbe and DFC Spalding for their work to provide this valuable communication tool and we’d like all of our readers to know that OFFICER Media Group supports autism awareness as best we can. We encourage you to recognize the day and inspire yourself to learn more about this challenge. Chances are you’ll encounter a person with autism numerous times in the course of your career. Prepare yourself to provide them the same service you would to any other citizen.
