Crisis Services
ASERT does not offer crisis services through our Resource Center. If you or someone you love is experiencing mental health distress or thoughts of suicide please call or text 988 for support.
ASERT does not offer crisis services through our Resource Center. If you or someone you love is experiencing mental health distress or thoughts of suicide please call or text 988 for support.
This resource, part of the Be Well, Think Well resource collection, provides information about helping a first responders manage a crisis with individuals with autism and serious mental illness, identify reasons individuals may be anxious in an emergency and how to help reduce that anxiety, and examples of concrete language that first responders can use when interacting with individuals in an emergency situation.
Serious mental illnesses are mental health disorders that cause substantial impairment in a person’s functioning. People with autism can also have a serious mental illness. People with autism and serious mental illness may experience manic behaviors, depression, anxiety, paranoia, or even hallucinations or delusions. The beliefs they express may seem very unusual and illogical. Often they will appear quite frightened and can be argumentative. People with serious mental illness may also experience suicidal ideation.
There may be a time where first responders are called upon to help an individual with autism who shows symptoms of serious mental illness. There are several tips that can help first responders manage a crisis. Though each situation may be different, there are some skills first responders should consider.
A basic understanding of these concepts will increase your effectiveness in managing emergencies with people who may have either or both. Further information about psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, and autism can be found within the ASERT site, which will provide greater understanding of these.
Please see the following titles:
It is important to make sure that the safety of the person in a crisis, and others around them, is a priority. Look for signs that the person is trying to harm themselves or others or is making threats.
Be sure to listen to the individual carefully about what is going on and what is wrong. The ability to listen carefully shows compassion and understanding. Uniforms can be frightening. State who you are, why you are there, and reassure the individual that you are interested in helping them and keeping them safe. State what you are going to do before doing it, then speak and move slowly.
Loud noises, flashing lights, and crowds can make a crisis worse for individuals with autism. Choose one person to interact with the individual and have others give space whenever possible. Touch can be especially distressing for individuals with autism and serious mental illness, so consider physical contact as a last option. Warn the person before touching them. Do not leave the person alone as they may wander off or move back into danger.
People experiencing a mental health crisis may not be aware of their surroundings, experience confusion, or may not respond as they typically would. People with autism are slower to process speech, both when listening and responding. Make sure to provide clear, easy-to-understand directions by using short and simple sentences. Realize you may need to repeat yourself, but do so calmly and without judgment. Do not maintain continuous eye contact or insist the individual make eye contact, as this can be difficult and uncomfortable for them.
Individuals with autism may become anxious when interacting with first responders.
People with autism like routine and structure. They may become anxious because they don’t know what to expect in new or different situations. Emergency situations are new, different and probably very far from their usual structure and routine. It’s likely they’ve never interacted with a first responder before, and don’t know what to expect in the situation. This can make an already stressful situation even worse. Being clear about what you want them to do and explaining what is going to happen, can be a helpful way of reducing their anxiety.
People with autism may not be comfortable with new people or experiences. They may refuse to interact with people they don’t know. Individuals with autism may not answer questions or talk, and this could be for a few reasons. They may be overwhelmed and have a hard time managing their anxiety, be overwhelmed by sensory input, or they may have little to no expressive language. Being patient and taking time to establish trust can help them open up. Positive statements that you’re there to help, and some small talk about the person’s interests may help to build trust and reduce anxiety.
One of the main symptoms of autism is trouble communicating. A person who struggles to communicate may become anxious when they are asked to communicate a lot, which is likely to happen when first responders are needed. It’s important to avoid overwhelming the person if they’re struggling to communicate. Asking fewer questions and keeping them as simple as possible can be helpful. If possible, get as much information as you can from other sources to help reduce their need to communicate. This should help to reduce anxiety.
Individuals with autism need simple and clear directions. They typically do not understand abstract ideas.
Instead of: Try:
-What’s the matter? -Tell me the reason you called 9-1-1
-What’s bother you? -Point to where it hurts.
-How did this happen? -Tell me the first thing that happened.
-Why did you call 9-1-1? -Tell me what you need help with.
-Boy it’s raining cats and dogs! -It’s raining very hard.
-You really did a number on yourself, and need to be taken in. -You are badly hurt and need to go to the hospital.
When you arrive at an emergency situation, you may have little information about the people involved, including any disabilities or diagnoses. Unlike physical disabilities, you can’t tell a person has autism just by looking at them.
Autism is a spectrum disorder with a wide range of signs and symptoms. Interacting with individuals with autism in emergency settings will also vary widely.
Name | Description | Type | File |
---|---|---|---|
Be Well, Think Well: Managing a Crisis with Individuals with ASD and Serious Mental Illness | This resource provides several tips that can help first responders manage a crisis. | Download file: Be Well, Think Well: Managing a Crisis with Individuals with ASD and Serious Mental Illness | |
Be Well, Think Well: Understanding Anxiety in Emergency Situations | This resource will help identify some of the reasons they may become anxious and tips to help reduce their anxiety. | Download file: Be Well, Think Well: Understanding Anxiety in Emergency Situations | |
Be Well, Think Well: Using Concrete Language in Emergency Situations | This resource will provide examples of concrete language first responders can use when interacting with individuals who have autism. | Download file: Be Well, Think Well: Using Concrete Language in Emergency Situations | |
Be Well, Think Well: Identifying Individuals with Autism in Emergency Settings | This resource provides tips on identifying a person who may have autism. | Download file: Be Well, Think Well: Identifying Individuals with Autism in Emergency Settings | |
Be Well, Think Well: Interacting with Individuals with Autism in Emergency Settings | This resource provides some general tips and suggestions for interacting with an individual with autism in emergency settings. | Download file: Be Well, Think Well: Interacting with Individuals with Autism in Emergency Settings |
This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.