I'm working on a new format for this newsletter, a web log at http://www.autismriskmanagement.com/ When this is ready, we'll switch over to the web based newsletter and save everybody some WWW bandwidth!I want to say a BIG thanks to everyone who is working so hard to build partnerships with our law enforcement, first response and criminal justice communities. I've been on the road a ton--only with the blessing of my wife Gay and son Brad--and only with your help and support. We've got more to do, but our good word is getting positive feedback everywhere. I'll report on this soon at the new b-log.In the meantime, we'll keep this newsletter short!DennisHere's What's Up:1) ASA Safe and Sound and Emergency Preparedness campaigns 2 Book Review3) Autism One Radio4) Autism Society of Ontario web cast5) ASA-Autism and Criminal Justice Survey6) Maine Criminal Justice Academy Mandates Autism Training for 20077) Non Permanent ID Tattoos
ASA Safe and Sound and Emergency Preparedness CampaignsHurricane season is only two weeks away. Down here we're getting prepared. An autism emergency can happen any day. Visit the ASA web site http://www.autism-society.org and type in Safe and Sound and also Emergency Preparedness for some great products andinformation!Also check out ASA's current issue of the Autism Advocate newsletter for my report Autism Risk and Safety: Hometown Heroes! Book Review by Dennis DebbaudtFinding a Different Kind of Normal: Misadventures with Asperger Syndromeby Jeanette PurkisForeword by Donna WilliamsPaperback, ISBN-10: 1-84310-416-4 ISBN-13: 9781843104162, 192pp, 2006,www.jkp.comIn this outstanding first effort author Jeanette Purkis describes in fine and clear writing style, and with complete candor, her social difficulties growing up in England and Australia; the misunderstandings and bullying she endured during adolescence; her drift from organized religion to the embrace of socialist politics and living the rebel life; her experiences with and within Australian criminal justice and correctional systems; and the eventual discovery and acceptance of her Asperger Syndrome. Jeanette details the difficulties of living with undiagnosed, then unaccepted, Asperger Syndrome as she illuminates social awareness dilemmas that resulted in her making false friendships during her volatile young adult life. Jeanette also reports on how those friendships led her into "go along to get along" situations that put her at risk--and in and out of jail. Ultimately, Jeanette's tough and emerging inner resolve to change her life--and seemingly serendipitous contact with other adults on the spectrum and people who understand ASD--led her out of the grim, confusing existence of street life in Melbourne and the vicious cycle of incarceration in Australian prisons, to a successful career in art, film making and public speaking.Jeanette's descriptive, easy-to-read writing voice was found right on the first page and kept this reader's interest throughout the 192 pages. Finding A Different Kind of Normal offers straightforward and extremely valuable introspective advice and hope for young people with ASD and their families. This advice is oftentimes best heard from individuals who live every day with autism spectrum disorders. The hope is something we all can learn from. Jeanette confided in a recent interview, "I hope this book will help others get some insight into ASD." Jeanette, it would be hard not to!
Autism One RadioThe Autism Risk and Safety Show is now up and running on Autism One Radio. An interview with Walter Coles, retired RCMP officer and next week an interview (May 25th) author Jeanette PurkisHost Dennis Debbaudt interviews Walter Coles, a retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer and specialist in the interview of persons with disabilities.
As an RCMP investigator in the 1980's and 90's, Walter Coles investigated hundreds of cases of victimization of persons with disabilities. Walter has written on the issue since 1990, and played a key role in the development of the curriculum and video Admissible In Court: Interviewing Witnesses Who Live with Disabilities. Walter is currently working as a Family School Liaison Counselor in Alberta. He discusses his experiences and shares tips about keeping students who have autism safe.More information at: http://www.autismone.org/radio/default.cfm?radio=newsSee you at the Autism One conference in Chicago May 25th and 26th!
Autism Society of Ontario (ASO) web castVisit the ASO web site at http://autismsociety.on.ca/
scroll down to the Dennis Debbaudt links at the home page to their web cast site. This is a first for me: a web TV conference. This session features viewing of the Autism & Law Enforcement Roll Call Briefing video in its entirety. Best of all---it's free and translated into French, too. Check it out!
ASA-Autism and Criminal Justice SurveyASA and its partners are currently developing a training curriculum and materials for crime victim-serving professionals, individuals with autism spectrum disorders, and families and care providers.ASA needs your input. The two surveys--one for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their care providers; one for professionals who serve crime victims--have been designed to gather information about crime and individuals with autism spectrum disorders.Please fill out the appropriate survey below and forward this message to others.Survey for Individuals with Autism and Families & Caregivers:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=581552000509Survey for Professionals Who Serve Crime Victim:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=249952000624
It will only take a few minutes and your privacy is assured! Maine Criminal Justice Academy Mandates Autism Training for 2007
This just in from Maine Autism & Law Enforcement trainer, autism dad and friend, and U.S. Probation Officer Matt Brown:
"The Maine Criminal Justice Academy, which trains all new police recruits, is now including one hour for each new recruit class on autism response. The training will be mandatory for all officers on the street by 2007! Requests for training have been overwhelming! In Portland, officers who had attended my training advised that they located a non-verbal wanderer just as he was approaching a water source."Great News, Matt!Check out the 2006 editions of Autism Spectrum Quarterly for mine and Matt's three issue series on the formation of the Autism Response Team. More info at: http://www.ASQuarterly.com/

Non Permanent ID TattoosI've long reported on the value of high and low tech options for children and adults with autism. some may recall the story from my book about the creative mom who made up non permanent tattoos for her son who would not otherwise tolerate anything attached to him. Tattoos With A Purpose is an outlet for those who are looking for options to address personal ID for people who cannot speak for themselves. I spoke recently withCindi Aldrich who operates this company in Royal Oak, Michigan. Cindi will personalize, design and take orders large and small for non permanent tattooos. Lots of appications (pardon the pun) here. Cindi also offers bulk purchase discounts.Email Cindi at cindi.aldrich@tattooswithapurpose.com or visit her web site: http://tattooswithapurpose.com