Special needs inclusion training
In a brand new ‘Making a Difference,’ this whole week the Yuma county health district is hosting what’s called, “Special needs inclusion training.”
The purpose is to help those in law enforcement learn how to interact with those with special needs.
The two-hour course offered in both English and Spanish will use a computer modeling tool to help children and young adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities learn how to interact with law enforcement and ems.
These courses are aimed at helping not only the families, but also help those in charge recognize signs and mannerism that may be associated with someone with autism. In turn, this helps those with a disability not fear law enforcement if stopped or approached. In recent months this has been a hot topic of discussion and Yuma county feels its time to address it locally.
“There’s been a lot of buzz around the country. There’s been some bad interactions with law enforcement and these children that have special healthcare needs. A lot of these interactions that have gone wrong can be prevented really on both sides so that’s what we’re trying to do here is provide training for law enforcement and ems so they have a better understanding of how these children interact with people and a little bit about their disorders,” said Ryan Butcher, injury prevention coordinator of Yuma county health district.
This Saturday is when the main event will take place as the non profit group ‘safe kids Yuma county’ will host a community safety day. This is where first responders can interact with children and youth with disabilities and their caregivers.
If you go
Free training for the developmentally or intellectually disabled, their caregivers and first responders.
All events will take place at yuma main library, 2951 s. 21st drive, yuma.
Contact Annette Perez at (928) 317-4571 or annette.Perez@yumacountyaz.Gov.
— 9 a.M. To noon friday
Ems and the autism community – for firefighters and ems personnel, to provide information on how to interact with those with asd and other conditions to increase communication and minimize the risk of injury or escalation. Professional education credits provided.
Free registration: eventbrite.Com, password safe kids yuma county
— 11 a.M. To 1 p.M. Saturday
Safe kids yuma county presents community safety day, where first responders can interact with children and youth with asd and their caregivers, concluding the training begun friday. Provides friendly environment where first responders and families can interact and learn from each other.
