From the Desk of Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz
‘Did You Know’ April 12, 2022
AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
April is Autism Awareness Month. We have certified deputies trained in the handling of a special needs child. One of the purposes of our program is to better train officers in dealing with their needs. Contact to the program Monday – Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm by calling 337-948-7599 for the Special Needs Section or email at specialneeds@slpsheriff.com. There you will find a form to fill out and our team will insert it in our system to better alert the deputies when dealing with a special needs child.
Here are some red flags put out by Autism Speaks.
They may indicate your child is at risk for an autism spectrum disorder. If your child exhibits any of the following, please don’t delay in asking your pediatrician or family doctor for an evaluation:
No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter;
No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by nine months;
No babbling by 12 months;
No back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months;
No words by 16 months;
No meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating) by 24 months;
Any loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age.
The M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers) can help you determine if a professional should evaluate your child. This simple online autism screen, available on their website, it takes only a few minutes. If the answers suggest your child is at risk for autism, please consult with your child’s doctor. Likewise, if you have any other concerns about your child’s development, don’t wait. Speak to your doctor now about screening your child for autism. You can reach the Autism Speaks Autism Response Team (ART) is specially trained to connect people with autism, their families, and caregivers to information, tools, and resources at (888) 288-4762
The above information is intended for information purposes only and not for legal advice. For legal advice, consult an attorney. Questions can be submitted to bguidroz@slpsheriff.com
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