Public SafetyTuesday, November 3
Bella Vista police get 50 sensory kits today to help officers connect with people with autism
The Daily Bentonville team
If you have a loved one on the autism spectrum, this one's for you. Autism Involves Me, a Northwest Arkansas nonprofit, delivers 50 kits to the Bella Vista Police Department today. It's part of AIM 2 Respond, an initiative to help first responders communicate with and support people with autism.
50sensory kits going to Bella Vista police
Executive director Paula George said AIM wanted a kit for every officer, so every cruiser has one.
George said a Bella Vista officer called in early September after seeing a video from out West where an officer's sensory kit helped de-escalate a situation. Bella Vista is the first department in the region to get the kits.
“This response kit in an officer's vehicle could give that individual a little voice.”
- Training: Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Emergency Response Training for officers
- Next: AIM hopes to bring the kits to other area departments
- Also: some local restaurants already stock AIM sensory kits
Each kit item helps with a different part of an encounter
| In each kit | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Laminated communication boards | Express feelings, needs and pain without speaking |
| Noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses | Sensory sensitivities |
| Sensory and fidget tools | Could ease overstimulation |