Y3 Nationwide Survey of First Responders About Persons with Autism and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

You are invited to participate in a research study under the direction of Dr. Jack Scott of the Department of Special Education, Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and paid for by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC). Taking part in this survey is entirely voluntary.

The purpose of this survey is to develop and provide training to law enforcement personnel and first responders (i.e., emergency medical specialist, firefighters, and other co-trained responders) who will encounter, interact and intervene with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The survey will help develop workshops to train first responders on different evidence-based communication strategies (e.g., verbal and augmentative devices), appropriate de-escalation strategies, behavior management techniques, and safer physical management skills considering physical limitations.

What are the reasons you might choose to volunteer for this survey? There are several reasons why this training is significant for first responders and law enforcement personnel. It begins with people with the most complex disabilities now living in regular neighborhoods throughout communities. This training for first responders will provide facts and data on ASD and I/DD, along with practice exercises and recommendations on effectively interacting and communicating with a person based on their disability.

You may not benefit directly from your participation in this survey. The benefits to science and humankind that might result from this study are enhancing the development and training components for law enforcement personnel, first responders, and emergency medical and mental health personnel who will encounter, interact, and intervene with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have co- occurring mental health diagnoses and/or challenging behaviors on recognizing and effectively  communicating and interacting with them, to include strategies for communicating verbally and  through augmentative and alternative communication methods, the use of de-escalation strategies, behavior management techniques, and safe physical management considering physical limitations. 

You do not have to be in this study if you do not want to be. We will be happy to answer any questions you have about this study. If you have further questions about this project or if you have a research-related problem you may contact our Program Coordinator, Torica Exume, at texume@fau.edu or the Principal Investigator, Jack Scott, at jscott@fau.edu.

Your participation in this study will require the completion of the upcoming survey. This survey should take between 5-10 minutes of your time. Your participation will be anonymous, and you will not be contacted again in the future.

If you choose to participate, please continue on.

Thank you,
Drs. Jack Scott and Torica Exume
IRB Approval #1971384-2 19