First Responder Perspectives of Interactions with Individuals with Autism: A Pilot Study

Interactions between individuals who experience autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and first responders present unique challenges due to differences in communication, behavior, and sensory processing (Bowers-Campbell et al., 2020). These situations may be dysfunctional due to a lack of training tailored to understanding and responding to ASD related needs (Chown, 2010). Training should be informed by people who experience ASD and ASD experts can help responders build skills in communication, sensory responsiveness, and preparedness in high-pressure environments. The research team hypothesizes that first responders will report minimal training on how to work with an individual with ASD, which leads to suboptimal interactions in emergency situations. This qualitative case study is three pronged, seeking to learn about the experiences of people with autism, family/caregivers, and first responders in emergency situations. This poster focuses on the experience of first responders, highlighting the results of a pilot study conducted to determine the acceptability and feasibility of implementing the study statewide in Montana. Summaries from first responder interviews will be presented in this poster session, along with feedback on how interview questions can be improved for use in the forthcoming full study. The overarching goal of the pilot study is to ensure that the research team has an effective and culturally responsive instrument for gathering qualitative data about interactions and experiences with first responders from their perspective.