Matt Kodicek

Emergency situations can be especially stressful for those with autism spectrum disorder. A bill in the Indiana General Assembly would provide grant funding for public safety agencies to purchase sensory kits, which contain resources to help those individuals communicate and remain calm during potentially traumatic events like fires or ambulance calls. While first responders say they're proving to be effective, so far, the bill hasn't gotten a committee hearing.

Legislation to boost support for people with autism during emergency situations faces a challenging path through the Indiana General Assembly.

Emergency situations can be especially stressful for those with autism spectrum disorder. For the past two-and-a-half years, a Northwest Indiana organization has been giving emergency responders resources and training to help those individuals remain calm during potentially traumatic events like fires or ambulance calls.