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EMS adds autism sensory kits


ADAPTING TO HELP – Wise County EMS will equip each of its ambulances with autism sensory kits starting in July. The kits contain various tools to help soothe and communicate with patients. Messenger photo by Austin Jackson

Being transported in an ambulance during an emergency is a stressful experience for anyone.

For people and kids with autism, the sensory overload from exhaust fumes, bright flashing lights and strangers can be overwhelming.

“It’s tough,” said Wise County EMS Paramedic John Huffstutler. “The bright lights, noises – it’s sensory overload for patients with autism when they’re experiencing a medical emergency.”

Wise County EMS is working to change that.

Starting in July, every Wise County EMS ambulance will be equipped with an autism sensory kit.

Inside each kit is a supply of tools to help better serve patients with autism.

“Something as simple as this can make a profound difference,” said Wise County EMS Administrator Randall Preuninger. “We’re hoping to see a big change here.”

The initiative started with Huffstutler. His 3-year-old sister has autism and is nonverbal.

Earlier this summer, Huffstutler and his mom put together a kit that could be used for children with autism and others in the special needs community.

“It was my mother’s idea,” Huffstutler said. “She came up with it, I just ran with it. She donated the kit and I introduced it to Randall. We decided it was something we would like to proceed with.”

The kit contains headphones, sunglasses, a weighted blanket and fidget toys. Inside the bag are also methods of communication, cards to convey how patients feel, as well as a white board and markers to write out what they’re experiencing if patients can’t communicate verbally.

The additional kits that Wise County EMS is ordering are nearly identical, with a weighted vest instead of a weighted blanket.

Finding ways to communicate beyond speech is a hurdle for first responders.

According to Autism Speaks, around 40 percent of people with autism are nonverbal. The research organization also states that sensory issues often accompany autism, too.

Paramedics have to know what patients are experiencing. Discovering where it hurts, what it feels like and what happened are critical bits of information during an emergency call.

“It’s hugely important to know what patients are feeling,” Preuninger said. “Ninety percent of our assessment is asking questions and finding out what their symptoms are. Communication is probably the biggest part of our job.”

Wise County EMS is hoping to bridge that communication gap for people on the autism spectrum.

“What a lot of people don’t understand about it, is that people that have autism spectrum disorder, they have a sensory overload and a disconnect with how they’re able to communicate,” Huffstutler said. “Somebody with autism, it may come out in a way that may not make sense to you and I. When people with autism spectrum disorder are trying to communicate and they can’t, it’s very frustrating. They’re just as frustrated trying to tell you how they feel as you are trying to understand how they feel. This kit helps close that communication barrier and establish that line of communication.”

Preuninger said treating and communicating with people with autism didn’t really come up during paramedic school. Huffstutler said he learned a little bit more during his time in paramedic school, but it appears that is changing. More agencies are learning better ways to accommodate people with autism. In the last year, EMS agencies and fire departments across the country are adding sensory bags into their arsenal for patient care.

In addition to the kits, Preuninger said Wise County EMS will work to better educate the community about autism, including teaching parents how to identify symptoms.

“I think this will help us in the future,” he said.

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