A new initiative launches across the Grampian region today, to help address the unique challenges faced by people with autism who are victims of crime and accidents.
The Autism Alert card will help ensure those with the condition are quickly identified and is supported by Grampian Police, a range of partner organisations across the region, Mark McDonald, MSP for North East Scotland and The National Autistic Society (NAS) Scotland.
NAS Scotland is heralding the card a ?breakthrough? for Grampian, and encouraging all young people and adults with autism across the region to apply. An estimated 50,000 Scots have autism, with nearly 6,000 thought to live in the Grampian region.
The card is to be rolled out from Monday 12th November. Featuring the Grampian Police logo, it will include details of a personal contact who can lead police and support organisations through the best ways to help the individual with autism through what can be a highly pressurised experience.
The Autism Alert card can also be used in a day to day context, helping ease communication and understanding challenges when someone with autism is shopping, at a social event, using leisure facilities or public transport.
Dr Robert Moffat, National Director of The National Autistic Society (NAS) Scotland said
Being a victim of a crime or accident can be a stressful experience for anyone. But for someone with autism it can be particularly disorientating and frightening.
People with the condition often have difficulty understanding facial expressions, can be very literal in their understanding of questions, disorientated by complex speech and easily misinterpret others? intentions. In an environment of serious crime or medical emergency these types of misunderstandings can have serious consequences.
NAS Scotland welcomes a partnership that addresses the unique challenges faced by people with autism in such a sensible, straightforward and effective way. The new Autism Alert card is a crucial step in ensuring Grampian Police and other organisations are autism aware, and helps people with autism to access the same rights most of us take for granted.
David Silvester, 66, a retired joiner from Moray, has Asperger syndrome. He is supporting the launch of the Grampian Autism Alert card.?David comments
On the outside I appear articulate and look like I'm functioning well. This could be a real problem if I'm a victim of a crime or accident, because police will expect me to communicate and process information in the same way they do, and I can?t always do this. I believe being able to produce an Autism Alert card at times like these could help defuse misunderstandings.
Partners supporting the launch of the Aberdeenshire Autism Alert card include The National Autistic Society (NAS) Scotland, Grampian Police, G4S, Aberdeen City, Moray and Aberdeenshire Councils and autism charities Autism Initiatives and Grampian Autistic Society.
Autism Alert card schemes have been launched in the Strathclyde, Lothian and Borders and Highland and Islands regions.
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