FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Charbonneau: EMS personnel will complete autism training
Governor signs bill into law
(STATEHOUSE) – Gov. Mitch Daniels signed House Bill 1171, making Sen. Ed Charbonneau’s (R-Valparaiso) sponsored bill a new law requiring autism training for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.
Charbonneau aimed to make emergency situations safer for people with autism after learning that sirens, flashing lights, loud noises, and chaos can cause them anxiety or confusion.
“In Indiana, approximately one in 150 people are diagnosed with autism,” Charbonneau said. “It is the responsibility of the legislature to address their needs. If emergency medical service personnel can identify signs of autism and learn how to properly respond, we can help provide the optimum care for Hoosiers with autism.
Current law requires extensive EMS certification training in numerous areas, including sudden infant death syndrome, Charbonneau said. House Enrolled Act 1171 mandates certified EMS personnel to successfully complete training on 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 the disorder. He said that 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.
“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.
According to Charbonneau, 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, handouts and forms with group contact information for parents.
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.
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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