BY KADIE VICE | FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN — Auburn Public Safety has added sensory-inclusive bags to its stash of materials, which will help create security for community members who are sensitive to intense sensory situations.
“There are many different sensory stimulations during an emergency response situation — the lights on the truck, the sound of the sirens, the air horn and other things like that,” said Fire Training Chief Anthony Gilmore. “For people with sensory sensitivities, when Auburn Fire arrives at a public safety situation, it might increase anxiety. I think these bags are great, because we try to give the best service to everybody, and this will help us to be able to serve our people at an even higher level.”
The sensory-inclusive bags can be used in situations such as EMS calls, medical emergencies, house fires and any other situation where 911 would be called. The bag includes a card that can help community members with limited speech show firefighters how they are feeling, which helps them get the help they need and to feel as comfortable as possible.
“The little card will be a big help for us to be able to communicate with people with limited speech,” Gilmore said. “If we are responding to a house fire, and maybe we need to get some information about the fire, or if they’re injured, they could point to the card to help explain how they are feeling, and then we could better assist them with whatever medical attention they need.”
The bag also has other tools in it that could help soothe community members during stressful and overstimulating situations.
“Somebody with a need or disability may be kind of nervous, and it may be hard for them to communicate their needs if there is a lot going on and they are stressed,” Gilmore explained. “So, this is a tool for us to help. The bag has different things that they can point to that can help us give them the best care that we can, including headphones, the communication page, fidget toys and sunglasses,” Gilmore said.
Everyone experiences sensory stimuli differently, but for those with sensitivities — like people with autism — exposure to loud noises, bright lights, rapid movement and other extreme sensory stimuli can be overwhelming and cause distress.
“It’s been well-documented that a notable proportion of individuals with autism and other neurodivergent conditions process information quite differently than individuals without those conditions,” Gilmore explained.
“If someone who is sensitive to sounds is in a situation where they’re presented with some type of very loud, downright painful auditory stimulation — it is a loud noise that they can’t control and they can’t turn off, so understandably, it will be very triggering,” said Auburn University Assistant Professor of Psychological Sciences Dr. John Michael Falligant. “Alabama has come a long way in terms of taking steps to be more inclusive and to support people with autism and their families. We can see what the needs and priorities are and how to support individuals with sensory sensitivities.”
Considering the needs of people with autism and other sometimes invisible disabilities is an important part of preparing for emergency situations, and Auburn Public Safety’s sensory-inclusive bags are now a part of the checklist that firefighters look over every day before leaving the station.
“The Alabama State House of Representatives passed a bill that, beginning Jan. 1 of this year, requires firefighters to have an hour of training on helping individuals with sensory needs or invisible disabilities,” Gilmore said. “So that helped us start this process of partnering with a nonprofit out of Birmingham to set up online training for all 120 of our personnel.”
For Auburn Fire Lt. Justin Brown, the sensory-inclusive bags are a response to a need in the community that he sees and understands on a personal level.
“I have a child with autism, and it means a lot to me to know that if a situation comes up where a child with autism, special needs, sensory sensitivities or anxiety needs something, Auburn Fire will have it and we’re ready,” Brown said. “As far as me getting the sensory-inclusive bags on the trucks, I’ve always been an advocate for more inclusion and more things that can help people during these difficult situations, and these bags will definitely help with that.”
He has seen sensory-inclusive bags in action when he was given one years ago to help his son on a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium.
“My son has severe autism, and he was having a tough time when we first got into the building,” Brown said. “There were a lot of people there, and one of the workers noticed and asked if we might be interested in a sensory bag for him, and we said absolutely,” Brown said. “We found that the little fidgety things definitely helped lessen his anxiety. We had a little roller thing for him to sit in as we took him throughout the aquarium, and as we walked, he was sitting there playing with some of the sensory stuff, so it definitely helped a lot.”
Brown said he is proud to be a part of Auburn’s initiative to include everyone in the policies of public safety.
“When I had my child with autism, I didn’t really know much about it, but over the years it’s become an important aspect of public safety and in general,” he said. “Now there is more acceptance and inclusion, and I am glad we are preparing for everyone as we approach emergency situations. We have a lot of programs in Auburn where people can come through the fire stations, and I think it’s super important to show the community that public safety is here to help.”
The Auburn University Center for Autism Research has resources available for community members who are looking for more information and support for loved ones who have autism.
“We are currently working to improve behavioral intervention for children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental conditions and their caregivers,” Falligant said. “For those who have a loved one who has sensory sensitivity or another kind of challenge that is impairing or causing functional issues in day-to-day life, we are a great resource.”
For more information and resources, visit AU’s Regional Autism Network at the website: education.auburn.edu/serc/outreach/ran.php and AU’s Center for Autism Research, Treatment and Training at www.cla.auburn.edu/psychology/aupsc/therapy-services//?utm_source=BHCOE-ABA-directory.
