Madison Police Department Launches Autism Safety Initiative

Information from the Madison Police Department:

MADISON, CT — The Madison Police Department, in collaboration with Ashley McClain from the LINKED — Autism Safety Project, is excited to announce our new initiative aimed at providing the best possible services to those in our autism community.

By completing the voluntary registration form found on the Madison Police Department's website, the Madison Police Department will compile important individualized information about the person with autism which will in turn be provided to officers in the field. The information provided to the program is confidential and will only be used as needed by first responders. Providing this individualized information will assist officers in making a positive connection and building relationships built on trust with individuals in our community on the autism spectrum.

Each family that registers for the LINKED program will receive a Family Emergency Planning Folder with individualized instructions and a guide that includes tips and tools to navigate this program and an emergency situation. Additionally, the Family Emergency Planning Folders provides an emergency preparedness Social Story, created by professionals, which is a personalized learning tool containing text and illustration that supports the safe and meaningful exchange of information between parents, professionals, and people with autism of all ages.

The Madison Police Department is committed to the acceptance and inclusion of the members of our autism community. As part of this commitment, cruisers from the Madison Police Department will be equipped with Sensory Bags, filled with tools to help first responders work with a person on the autism spectrum during an emergency.

If you are a caregiver of someone on the Autism Spectrum, and would like to register them with this program, please go to the Madison Police Department's Website, print out the form and deliver in person, mail or by email to Lieutenant Jeremy Yorke at yorkej@madisonct.org or Records Clerk, Florence Farrelly at farrellyf@madisonct.org.