Maine First Responders to Learn About Autism Spectrum

Mar. 21—The Wells-Ogunquit Community School District will host a free training session to help educators, first responders and others better understand how to deal with crisis situations involving people on the autism spectrum.

The school district announced Wednesday that the educational session is designed for police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, educators, families and other interested community members who want to better understand how to prevent, recognize and respond to crisis situations that involve people on the autism spectrum or who have other developmental disabilities.

School officials hope the event will build partnerships between first responders and community members to address safety issues such as people bolting away and wandering off. The session will be presented by Matt Brown, the parent of a child on the autism spectrum and a 25-year law enforcement veteran. He has trained more than 6,000 first responders, educators and parents since 2012.

The session will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Wells High School auditorium. Registration is not necessary and continuing education credits are available.