Autism & Public Safety

Meet the Trainer
Understanding, Awareness, and Support in Emergency Situations
Public safety involves all of us—including people with autism. Whether during a 911 call, a police response, or a search-and-rescue operation, individuals with autism may experience the world in unique ways. Understanding those differences helps ensure everyone stays safe, calm, and respected during emergencies.

What Is Autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts, and experiences the world. It’s not a disease and it isn’t caused by parenting. Autism varies widely from person to person, which is why it's referred to as a spectrum.

What You Might Notice
People with autism may:
  • Avoid eye contact or seem unresponsive
  • Have delayed or no speech
  • Be highly sensitive to sound, lights, or touch
  • Show limited facial expressions
  • React strongly to changes or stress
  • Repeat actions like rocking or hand-flapping (called "stimming")
These are not signs of aggression or defiance—there are ways of coping with a world that can feel overwhelming.

Safety Risks for Individuals with Autism
Families and first responders often face urgent challenges, including:
  • Wandering or bolting from safe areas, which can lead to traffic or water dangers
  • Fear of emergency personnel, uniforms, or flashing lights
  • Inability to communicate needs, especially during stress
  • Unusual responses to pain or fear, like hiding or resisting help
 
Public Safety Challenges
Children and adults with autism may not respond to their name or understand common safety cues. Nearly half are prone to wandering, and water-related accidents are tragically common.
  • Elopement can lead to search and rescue operations
  • Meltdowns can lead to escalations when law enforcement becomes involved
  • Autistic children can be combative or uncooperative when they are scared
  • Autistic children may hide from responders when they are scared
  • Some characteristics of autism can make a person look suspicious to law enforcement
 
How Public Safety Is Adapting
Many 911 centers, police departments, and fire agencies are training staff to better understand autism. Efforts include:
  • Using calm, direct communication
  • Reducing sensory triggers (sirens, lights, physical contact)
  • Asking key questions during emergency calls (e.g., "Is the person verbal? Do they respond to their name?")
  • Implementing alert systems like the Isaac Alert Program, which helps responders identify individuals with special needs quickly and respectfully

How You Can Help
  • Be patient and kind. Someone who doesn’t respond as expected might not be ignoring you—they may just process things differently.
  • Support inclusive policies in schools, neighborhoods, and public services.
  • If you’re a parent or caregiver, share key information with your local 911 center to help prepare in case of emergencies.
  • Talk to children and neighbors about inclusion and awareness—it makes a big difference.

Every Moment Matters
In emergencies, calm and understanding can save lives. When the public, first responders, and families work together with awareness and compassion, we build a safer world for everyone—including those with autism.
About Raegan
With over 11 years of experience in emergency communications, Raegan Hays is a Certified Training Officer with SREC, where she is widely recognized for her dedication, operational excellence, and ability to mentor with both empathy and precision. Raegan’s instructional style combines hands-on experience with real-world relevance, empowering trainees to confidently handle the challenges of 911 call-taking.

Her influence extends beyond SREC—she actively contributes to statewide and national training efforts, delivering specialized instruction on domestic violence response and autism awareness at the 911 Academy and through APCO sessions. Drawing from her personal experience as a parent of two children with autism, Raegan brings a deeply informed perspective to her work, enriching training with authenticity and compassion.
Register for Alerts
Spokane County Uses Isaac Alerts
An ISAAC Alert is a temporary caution note registered with your Spokane Regional Emergency Communications 911 dispatch center on behalf of an individual with a disability and linked to the address on file. This alert allows first responders to better understand the situation at the registered address in case of emergency related to an individual with autism or special needs. The content of the caution note is submitted by an individual’s parent or guardian through the ISAAC Foundation and must be updated annually. ISAAC Foundation will notify family by email when it's time to renew the content of the ISAAC Alert.​
​Links to Autism Resources:
Read APCO International's article about Raegan
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