ORLANDO, Fla. – April is Autism Awareness Month, and you may have noticed local police agencies stepping up with new initiatives focused on both understanding and safety.
However, did you know that autism awareness extends beyond classroom education and community events? It’s making its way into traffic safety, too—and that could directly impact how we drive, especially when it comes to passengers in our vehicles.
Today on our stream, we’re diving into something that doesn’t always get talked about: how autism can affect passengers inside a vehicle—and what that means for both drivers and first responders.
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Think about it. A routine car ride can be a sensory overload for someone on the autism spectrum.
Bright lights, unexpected sounds, or a change in routine can cause distress, especially during something like a traffic stop or an accident. That’s why more law enforcement officers are being trained to recognize the signs of autism and approach those situations with calm, clarity, and compassion.
In today’s conversation, we’ll talk about:
- What drivers can do to help make car rides smoother for autistic passengers.
- How officers are adjusting their response strategies to support neurodiverse individuals.
- And how tools like autism awareness decals or driver communication cards are helping bridge the gap.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or just someone who wants to better understand the world around you, this topic matters. So join me—because when we all understand a little more, we all drive a lot safer.
