FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Charbonneau: Senate supports bill to
help protect Hoosiers with Autism
(STATEHOUSE)– During an emergency situation when quick responses, clear communication and cooperation are needed, Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) said those living with autism could react violently or become reclusive. Charbonneau aims to make those emergency situations safer by sponsoring a bill that would require autism training for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.
Current law requires extensive EMS certification training in numerous areas, including sudden infant death syndrome, Charbonneau said. House Bill 1171 would mandate certified EMS personnel to successfully complete training on autism. HB 1171, approved by Senate today by a 47 to zero vote, will be sent back to the House of Representatives for further action.
“As the number of people with autism increases, we need to address their needs,” Charbonneau said. “This legislation could help emergency medical service personnel identify signs of autism and learn how to properly respond to those individuals. These tools are necessary to provide the optimum care for Indiana’s autistic community and safety of EMS personnel.”
Nearly 400,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with autism and the number of autistic children in the U.S. is growing by 10 to 17 percent each year. In Indiana, approximately one in 150 people are diagnosed with autism.
Charbonneau is a member of Indiana’s Commission on Autism, a panel charged with studying the needs and effectiveness of programs for individuals with autism. Charbonneau said testimony presented to the committee suggested sirens, flashing lights, loud noises, and chaos can cause anxiety or confusion for people with autism. Supporters of the measure say first responders need to be aware of this to keep the person with autism calm so the responders can tend to the victims and keep the scene under control.
Autism disorders include Asperger’s Syndrome and other pervasive developmental disorders such as Rett’s Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorders. Disabilities can include mental retardation, visual and hearing impairments, Tourettes Syndrome, epilepsy and anxiety disorders.
According to Charbonneau, some autistic individuals have limited or no speech and can be physically aggressive or self-injurious. These differences can make it hard for the person to communicate, causing difficulties in helping them during stressful situations.
Dr. Kathy Pratt, director of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism from Indiana University, supports HB 1171.
“We applaud Sen. Charbonneau for sponsoring this bill,” Pratt said. “This legislation would provide much needed education to professionals dealing with emergency situations and autistic individuals.”
Autism training programs for EMS personnel are designed to run about 1.5 hours and cover the range of behaviors that can be expected with individuals who have autism. Training kits include a video, hard copies of the handouts, forms with group contact information for parents and a program training DVD.
“For their own safety and for the safety of autistic individuals, it is important in an emergency situation for EMS personnel to understand autism,” Charbonneau said.
Sen. Charbonneau represents Senate District 5, which includes Starke County and portions of Porter, LaPorte, Marshall, Jasper, Pulaski, and St. Joseph counties.
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