Autism Outreach for Schools

Vanessa's Blog - May: Emergency Services

Interacting with strangers is a challenge for lots of young people, particularly in stressful circumstances. Their interactions with nurses, policeman and those here to help, can turn quite negative due to high anxiety levels and difficulties in communicating. The emergency services in Surrey recognise this and want to help. They want to know the crucial information that will allow them to support young people with Autism and other needs. This could include information like;

  •  I have a fear of sirens – please turn it off before you get to my house
  •  I do not speak. I use pictures to communicate
  •  When I get stressed, I ask my comfort questions. These are… The best answers are…
  •  I am touch sensitive, so please only touch me in an emergency and warn me before you do

To give details of your child’s needs to Surrey hospitals,  click here for the form

To give details of your child’s needs to the police, please sign up to the Pegasus scheme. It is hoped that the fire brigade will also begin using this service soon.

 Click here for more information           Click here for the registration form

 

Research shows us that many teenagers and older children suffer hate crimes and abuse relating to their disabilities and very few of these are reported to the police. It is useful to give young people the information they need about how to do this;

How to Contact the Police

  • 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger or if there is a crime happening now
  • 101 for other calls to the police
  • Some people prefer to take their time and write things down. You can use the online reporting form; www.surrey.police.uk/contact-us/

 

Top tips for preparing your child for an emergency;

  •   Take time to introduce your child to people in uniform, so that they recognise the uniform in an emergency
  •  NEVER use calling the police as a threat. It is important that your child trusts policemen and does not see them as a person to tell them off, or take them away.
  •  When they learn of emergency services, some children want to call 999 when it is not necessary. For instance, if a sibling takes a toy they are laying with, they may want the police to intervene. The Incredible Five Point may be useful to teach them that problems come in different sizes and needs different responses. You might call 999 for a level 5 problem, but for a level 2, you just need to tell Mum or Dad. Click here for information.
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