Date of Release: September 18th, 2009

Reference:   Autism Awareness 9-1-1

The Autism Network at Easter Seals New Hampshire has partnered with the Portsmouth Police and Fire Departments in a program known as “Autism Awareness 9-1-1”. Registering with the program will provide specific information to first responders about a person with autism.

This program will help emergency personnel respond effectively to situation involving people with autism, and will help people with autism become more familiar and comfortable with emergency personnel.

Autism is a condition affecting the processing, integrating, and organizing of information that significantly impacts communication, social interaction, functional skills and educational performance. There are many manifestations and degrees of severity within the autism spectrum.

People with an autism spectrum disorder are 4 to 7 times more likely to have an encounter with law enforcement or first responders. Because of the impairment to social skills they are also more at risk to be victims of crime.

The Easter Seals New Hampshire along with the Portsmouth Police and Fire Departments will be hosting an Autism Awareness 911 Registration at New Heights, at the Community Campus in Portsmouth New Hampshire on Saturday, September 26th from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Those wishing to register for the program are encouraged to attend. Assisting with the registration will be Portsmouth Police Explorers, Post 2609.

Every family that attends will receive an Autism Awareness safety packet that includes a window cling, guidelines for calling 911, autism safety tips, resources and an individual crisis response sheet. Representatives from both the Portsmouth Police and Fire Departments will be in attendance. If possible please bring a current photograph of the person with autism to the registration.

Those unable to attend the registration can contact Detective Rob Munson of the Portsmouth Police Department at 610-7506 for further information. After September 26th, 2009 people may still register for the program at the Portsmouth Police Department, 3 Junkins Avenue.

            “AUTISM AWARENESS 9-1-1  REGISTRATION”
           
Location –      New Heights at Community Campus
                      West Road, Portsmouth NH. 03801

When -            Saturday September 26th, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM