Responding with Compassion

Autism Training for First Responders

Course Overview

This hybrid course is designed to equip first responders across Virginia with safe, evidence-based, and community-informed procedures for supporting individuals with autism in crisis situations. The course covers topics such as understanding autism, effective communication with individuals on the autism spectrum, de-escalation techniques, locating individuals during wandering episodes, and connecting families and agencies with follow-up resources.

Instructors for the in-person portion bring lived experiences with autism and as first responders. This course aims to teach interdisciplinary audiences, including law enforcement, emergency medical services, and fire rescue, to collaboratively respond to and support the autism community.

Course Details

  1. Online Component
    • Duration: 2 Hours
    • Access: Online course will be sent to the email you provide by April 24th, 2025 at 8 AM EST (or upon submission if after this date).
    • Completion: The online module must be completed before attending the in-person session. You will have 3 weeks to finish the course.
  2. In-Person Component (Note: Please bring note taking materials.)
    • Duration: 4 hours
    • Date: May 15th, 2025
    • Time: 11 AM – 3 PM EST
    • Location: Henrico Training Center – P2
    • Address: 7701 E. Parham Rd, Henrico, VA 23228
Credit Hours Available:6 PIC-3 hours (2 Cultural Diversity, 4 Career Development)
Credit Hours Available:6 CE hours (BLS-14/ALS-19) – Category 1 Medical

Research Component: This training is part of a larger research study conducted by the University of Virginia, aimed at understanding how to best train first responders on autism-related crises. Participation in an optional study will involve completing surveys during and after the training to measure its impact. The first 224 students to participate will receive a $20 compensation.

UVA IRB Approval Number: Social and Behavioral Sciences IRB# 5077 (Principal Investigator: Rose Nevill, PhD)

Registration

To register for the Autism Spectrum Disorder Awareness and Training course, please select your preferred option below:

Click HERE to REGISTER.
For more information or any questions, contact us at:
Email: arpvirginia@virginia.edu

Comments are closed.

Up ↑