Quick Guide Emergency Services for First Responders for Persons with Autism and Related Disorders

When things are already escalated:

  1. Pause – quietly observe
  2. Stay calm – use few words, simple and supportive: ‘We can figure this out’.
  3. Wait – allow time for the person to settle down; don’t touch if not needed.
  4. Empathize – try to nearly but not fully match the person’s level of concern
  5. Offer food, water, rest, movement.

Before things have escalated or once things are settling down:

(adapted from Rady Childrens Hospital ‘Code Grey’)

Author
Joshua Feder, M.D. Dr. Feder's Blog

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