Seminar educates law enforcement on autism

Fifteen years ago, when Dennis Debbaudt asked a group of law enforcement officers if they'd heard of autism, the answer from most, if not all, was no.

When Debbaudt asked the question Wednesday at Southeast Missouri State University, all of the 30 local emergency and law enforcement workers in attendance said they had heard of the neurological disorder.

For Debbaudt, who spends a good deal of his time traveling the country to educate law enforcement and the general public about autism, that's a sign of progress.

"Everyone with autism is different, but they're like us. They have the same desires, the same range of emotions, even if they express them differently," he said. "But they want the same things we want."

Debbaudt, who has a 21-year-old autistic son, has spent the last 10 years spreading awareness about autism through seminars, videos and a book.

Cape Girardeau County 911 sponsored Debbaudt's seminar, which included sessions not only for law enforcement but medical professionals and parents as well.

During the four-hour morning session, representatives from Southeast Missouri police departments, sheriff's departments and other emergency agencies discussed characteristics of autism that might be mistaken for drug use or signs of criminal activity.

Debbaudt also outlined the most effective ways of responding and interacting with an autistic person as well as tactics for communicating with them.

"We can't ask you to diagnose autism out in the field. We can't even get pediatricians to diagnose autism sometimes," Debbaudt said. "But hopefully, we can get you to recognize the conditions."

Each person in attendance received a wallet-sized card with suggestions for dealing with a person with autism.

Cpl. Ike Hammonds, Cape Girardeau police, said his work in local schools motivated him to attend the session.

"I believe I've been faced with autism before and I didn't realize it," Hammonds said. "If it happens again, I'll recognize it."

cmiller@semissourian.com

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