The Tallahassee Police Department launched its Approach with Care Autism Awareness Initiative on July 22, and the College of Medicine’s Catherine Zenko, director of the FSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), joined Chief Lawrence Revell and his team for the announcement.
The initiative is a community partnership focused on increasing autism awareness and helping create safer interactions between law enforcement officers and individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
For many individuals with autism, emergency situations can be overwhelming. Delayed responses, sensory sensitivities, or difficulty processing verbal instructions may be characteristics of autism, rather than signs of noncompliance.
"Every interaction between an officer and a member of the public is an opportunity to build trust," Revell said. "Initiatives like Approach with Care help us better understand the needs of the people we serve, so we can respond with greater awareness while continuing to keep our community safe. We are grateful to our community partners for helping make this initiative possible and for their continued commitment to the families of Tallahassee and Leon County."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in 31 children in the United States has been identified as having ASD, making it one of the most common developmental disabilities nationwide. As research continues to allow increased and earlier diagnoses, TPD continues to ensure its officers receive the training, resources and community partnerships needed to better serve every member of the community.
As part of the initiative, families and adults with ASD can receive a free vehicle decal that discreetly alerts first responders that someone inside the vehicle may be on the autism spectrum. The decal serves as an additional communication tool, providing officers with important context before an interaction begins.
Zenko said FSU CARD is honored to partner with TPD on this important initiative.
“By giving law enforcement officers a visual cue to alert them that the vehicle they are approaching may have a passenger with autism, it allows the officer to shift their mindset before initiating any interaction,” she said. “This decal, in combination with autism education for law enforcement officers, sets the officers and the community members up for success during potentially stressful situations.”
Approach With Care decals are available at no cost through TPD’s Community Relations Unit, FSU CARD, Leon County Schools through Exceptional Student Education teachers, and MidTown Print. Other community partners include Behavioral Management Consultants, Cayer Behavioral Group and Children’s Home Society Early Steps.
FSU CARD is one of seven regional, non-residential resource centers funded by the Florida Legislature through the Florida Department of Education. They provide free support, consultation and training across the lifespan for individuals with ASD and related disabilities. Led by Zenko and Executive Director David Ledbetter, FSU CARD has offices in Tallahassee, Panama City and Pensacola serving the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend.
In addition, the College of Medicine has been heavily involved in autism research for years, primarily through the team built by Professor Amy Wetherby, Ph.D., an internationally respected expert in the field.
