This document provides an overview of 11 modules on autism spectrum disorders. The modules cover topics such as defining autism, characteristics, cognition, learning, sensory differences, communication, behavior challenges, functional behavior assessment, leisure skills, adolescence and adulthood issues, and safety. The safety module discusses emergency preparedness, dangerous situations, and safety strategies at home and in the community. It emphasizes the importance of identification, understanding behavior signs, and planning for potential problems.

1. The Basics of Autism
Spectrum Disorders
Training Series
Regional Autism Advisory Council of
Southwest Ohio (RAAC-SWO)
Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Task Force

2. Adult Training Series
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Modules
Module One: Autism Defined, Autism Prevalence
and Primary Characteristics
Module Two: Physical Characteristics of Autism
Module Three: Cognition and Learning in Autism
Module Four: Autism and Sensory Differences
Module Five: Communication and Autism

3. Adult Training Series
Modules
Module Six: Behavior Challenges and Autism
Module Seven: Understanding Behavior in Persons with
Autism
A tis
Module Eight: Functional Behavior Assessment
Module Nine: Autism and Leisure Skills to Teach
Module Ten: Special Issues of Adolescence and
Adulthood
Module Eleven: Safety and Autism

4. Safety
Emergencies:
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Because people with ASD can look like everyone else,
police and other emergency responders may expect
answers to questions that the person is not able to
give (for example, giving their name).
Some behaviors can be misunderstood (for example,
reaching t t
hi to touch th officer’s b d )
h the ffi ’ badge).

5. Safety
Emergencies:
Because people with ASD may have low muscle tone
tone,
emergency responders should never restrain the
person by placing on his/her stomach. This type of
restraint has caused death
death.

6. Safety
Dangerous situations:
The person may be drawn to materials such as matches
and other dangerous items.
Wandering off may be a problem.
The person may not know how to move around in traffic,
such as safely crossing the street.
The person may not understand the danger of going off
with a stranger.

7. Big Idea
A person with ASD may not
recognize a dangerous situation.

8. Safety Strategies
Get to know the neighbors.
Get to know nearby public safety agencies, police,
fire department, and other emergency responders.
Consider notifying them that a person with ASD
lives in the home including where they sleep and
other special needs.
If st ff is in th c mmunit with s m n with
staff the community ith someone ith
ASD, they should carry/wear identification.

9. Safety Strategies
Identification
The person with ASD should carry
identification at all times.
The person should practice showing their
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identification.
The person should wear a medical alert
bracelet/Identification bracelet
bracelet.
Identification information should say that the
person may not be able to speak or may be too
frightened to answer questions in an
f h
emergency.

10. Safety and ASD:
Strategies t Home
St t i at H
At home, door alarms may be helpful to make sure the
person doesn’t leave the house without your knowledge.
If the person with ASD has dietary restrictions,
refrigerator locks and cabinet locks may be needed.
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(Special permission is necessary for this.)
Removable stove knobs may be helpful if the person
with ASD isn’t aware of the danger of burning
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themselves.
Cleaning supplies and other dangerous products may
need to be locked up.
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11. Safety and ASD:
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In the Community
Autism decals for car windows are available to
make sure that in case of an emergency,
responders know that there is a passenger with
ASD in the vehicle.
(contact www autismcincy org)
www.autismcincy.org).
Many people with ASD are attracted to water.
Swimming lessons are helpful to make sure the
person is water safe.

12. Behavior and Safety
When possible, be prepared for situations that
p , p p f
could lead to behavior difficulties.
Know the early signs of a problem behavior.
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Have a plan for when problems occur.
Get to know the people who work in the places you
go to frequently in the community so they can be
helpful in an emergency.
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13. Big Idea
Get to know the warning signs of a
behavior problem so that little
problems do not become big ones
ones.