Many individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders have civil and even pleasant interactions with law enforcement and first responders, but sometimes the first encounter is a high-stress or high-anxiety one. Inability to pick up on social cues, difficulty with communication and vocalizing stress, self-stimulating, wandering, elopement and evading can lead to unsafe or even disastrous results.

Our primary goal in hosting certified Law Enforcement/First Responder Training and BE SAFE Interactive Movie Screenings are to have our loved ones with ASD and other intellectual and developmental disorders be understood even as they seek to understand what is happening and how to interact in an appropriate way. Behavior is communication, and if effective communication can be fostered, behavior will change.  We welcome all teens and adults with autism or an intellectual or developmental disability to “BE SAFE!”

LOCATIONS AND DATES FOR FREE TRAINING SESSIONS:

Wednesday May 17, 2017	Thursday June 8, 2017
ARC of Southern Maryland 355 W. Dares Beach Road Prince Frederick, MD	St. Mary’s College of Maryland Goodpaster Hall Room 195 St. Mary’s City, MD
BE SAFE Interactive Movie Teens/Adults and First Responders 6:00 – 8:30 pm	BE SAFE Interactive Movie Teens/Adults and First Responders 6:00 – 8:30 pm

Family Members of Individuals with Autism and other Disabilities:

• Call us at (240) 561-8860 to register!
• Email jnicholas@autismsupport-somd.org to register, or to request an Excel spreadsheet for group registrations
• Or complete the Google Form embedded below

We welcome Teens (age 13 and older) and Adults with ASD and other intellectual or developmental disorders, their families and caregivers to join us in this exciting and informative opportunity to learn about effective interactions with law enforcement and first responders directly in your community!

Law Enforcement Personnel, First Responders and other Professionals:

• Register using the methods indicated on the Law Enforcement training page HERE instead!

A BE SAFE Interactive Movie Screening is a community event that brings together teens and adults with ASD and similar intellectual or developmental disabilities, their families, teachers and staff, and local police.

The participants view scenes from BE SAFE The Movie, an exciting video that shows what to do and say in different types of encounters with police and first responders.

Engaging activities modeling what to do and say, how to establish boundaries, how to promote safety, and how to follow instructions, all while playing games, role playing, observing video clips of typical interactions and having active discussions.

Participants have fun and get to know law enforcement officials and first responders like firefighters and emergency services technicians, see them in uniform and see the tools of their trade in a comfortable, informative atmosphere.

BE SAFE Interactive Screenings are free to attend but registration is required in advance.  These Interactive Screenings will be conducted by the ARC of Southern Maryland.

Families of teens and adults who wish for their loved one to participate may call us at (240) 561-8860 or email jnicholas@autismsupport-somd.org to register, or use the Google Form above.

Law enforcement and first responders, register on our Law Enforcement page HERE.

NOTE TO ATTENDEES:  A parent or caregiver may attend with their family member who is participating, but space will be limited for observers. Professionals working with individuals with disabilities are also invited to observe. Seating may be limited and will be first-come, first-serve for observers. Please be sure to register in advance. Contact us if you have any questions.

For more information about BE SAFE The Movie go to:  https://besafethemovie.com/

BE SAFE Flyer for Teens and Adults May-June 2017

BE SAFE Training Flyer for LEO and FR Many-June 2017

Logistical Information on May-June 2017 training locations

Campus Map of St. Mary’s College

For more information about Pathfinders for Autism, their training and safety programs, go to: http://www.pathfindersforautism.org/resources/safety

For more information about the ARC of Southern Maryland, go to: http://www.arcsomd.org/