Some Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies are a bit more familiar with what encounters with autistic individuals can be like after undergoing training that was attended by the mayor of Industry, herself the mother of an autistic son.
The two-hour Autism and Law Enforcement Awareness training was held Wednesday by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Mental Evaluation Team. The training was conducted in partnership with Kate Movius, founder of Autism Interaction Solutions, which offers individual and group training to first responders, corporations and government agencies.
“This hands-on, interactive course equips our personnel with the tools to safely and effectively engage with individuals on the autism spectrum and those with other developmental disabilities,” according to an LASD statement. “Through real-world scenarios, communication strategies, and live interaction with autistic individuals and their caregivers, deputies gain a deeper understanding of sensory challenges, behavioral responses and how to adapt their approach in the field.”
Industry Mayor Cory Moss assisted with the training, “sharing her firsthand perspective as a mother to an autistic son and twin grandsons, bringing invaluable real-life insight to our personnel,” according to the sheriff’s department statement.
“Because what may look like non-compliance could be something entirely different,” the statement added. “Training like this strengthens our ability to serve with empathy, awareness, and professionalism, ensuring safer outcomes for everyone in our community.”
According to Autism Interaction Solutions, rates of autism increase every year, leading to a growing number of “high-profile incidents involving this population.”
“Our mission is to provide effective education in autism identification, safety and communication tactics,” according to a statement on the group’s website.