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Autism/Responding to a person with Autism in an emergency

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Expert: - 5/4/2009


Question
I read that a first responder who is responding to a person with autism in an emergency or disaster should remove canine partners.  I would like to know if this is true and if so, the reasoning behind it.  Thank you.

Answer
Yes this is true. This is simply because an individual with autism is sensitive to stimuli and a dog may scare them. In an emergency, you want to diminish the external stimuli in order to reduce the anxiety of the individual.

Valerie Herskowitz, MA CCC
www.valerieherskowitz.com

Autism

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Valerie Herskowitz

Expertise

I am an autism expert and speech pathologist (for over 30 years). I am also the parent of a child with autism. I can answer any question on autism dealing with communication, education, behavior and diet. I cannot answer questions that are medical in nature or are dealing with medications.

Experience

I have run a therapy center for individuals with autism since 1981. I lecture all over the country. I also teach classes on autism on line.

Organizations
Vice President of Communications Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Member American Speech and Hearing Association, MembernAutism Society of America, President of the National Autism Registry, Vice President of the Association for Developmentally Disabled Adults and Adolescents.

Publications
Autism Society of America's national publication (September 2008). Advance Magazine, South Florida Parenting, Spectrum Magazine, I am the author of: Autism and Computers: Maximizing Independence Through Technology (available:www.valerieherskowitz.com)

Education/Credentials
I have a masters degree in speech pathology

Awards and Honors
I won a Stevie Award in 2004: Lifetime Achievement Award for my work with individuals with autism. My therapy center won, Judge's Choice Award Best Center in South Florida by South Florida Parenting magazine 2005.

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