Communicating with the Autism Spectrum

Elsie Kusel, mother of an autistic child, and Signing Families Louise Stattler join Sam Bradley and host Justin Schorr to discuss the Autism Spectrum and how best rescuers can communicate with the patient and their family.

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Elsie Kusel, Paramedic and mother of an autistic child has been working to bring awareness about Autism for 15 years and is currently working to develop national programs for first responders to educate on how to best handle patients with these disabilities. Elsie, Signing Families Louise Stattler, Sam Bradley and host Justin Schorr discuss the Autism Spectrum and how best rescuers can communicate with the patient and their family.  Learn the key assessments that may indicate an autistic individual and separate their condition from an acute event.

More helpful resources on Autism:

 

For the hearing impaired program transcript -Autism  

 

 

 

 

 

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  • http://setlafilms.com Thaddeus Setla

    Here was a response from one of our viewers:
    Comments: So your autism & first responders video was kind of a bucket of fail.I say that as an autistic adult. You know, one of the people you didn’t invite to the table while talking about us.Firstly, it isn’t ok to talk about people as though we don’t make sense & are aliens. It is not acceptable to say that people “don’t communicate” or “don’t relate”. Just because you can’t see it…that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.The parent-centering is nauseating, in addition to my personal “just stop talking” moments with the guests’ views about autism (and the acceptability of autism speaks, for that matter, but that is beyond the scope of this letter o’disappointment).Your eyes sure would have been opened had you talked to an autistic adult about first responders; I’m a tiny 5’3″ 110 pound woman who had both my shoulders dislocated & a handful of hair pulled out by first responders, because they thought autism was a kids thing and therefore I was on drugs. Oh right, and my leg was in a cast. Super-threatening.Beyond disappointing, & misleading too.

    • http://setlafilms.com Thaddeus Setla

      My Response:

      To say that the video is a fail is pretty strong words, but I actually just learned something as a paramedic and as the Executive Producer of this show.  The video may have failed to have the perspective of someone like you, but this is an opportunity for us to put that together.  In no way did this one episode mean to cover everything.  I have been personally funding each episode and every time we go in the studio I have been doing my best to find topics that we need to talk about as first responders.  If you are interested in coming to the studio the next time we film I would welcome it with open arms.  There is no fail in my eyes, just opportunity to do better!Sincerely,Thaddeus SetlaDirector of Photography/ Executive ProducerContact MeCalendar: Tungle510.859.FILM o248.255.6536 c

      • EP

        I,too, an am Autistic adult and am just as frustrated by the parent-centered focus going on everywhere, so I understand the commenter’s strong words.  I am glad first responders are wanting to know this information, but I think there’s too much expectation for it to be a simple answer or simple set of symptoms and behaviors.  The Autism spectrum is just that, a spectrum, and I don’t like how the interviewer made the comment that perhaps other behaviors are being swept into it as if they don’t belong.  I have HFA/Asperger’s and a lot of us are upset that there is a large body of parents and medical practitioners alike who would like to label us as simply “problematic” or not really Autistic, which not only is insulting but also negates our own struggles and victimizes us.  There has been a considerable upset in the forums this week, in fact, after the Times came out with an article that stated the new DSM-V may eliminate us entirely and cut us off from medical care and aid, so sensitivities over that mindset are particularly strong right now.  I’ve been in several serious accidents–none my fault–and in two major natural disasters, so I have a lot of experience with first responders and more than a few things I’d like to say.  But I intensely dislike being on camera and I can’t do verbal in a quick response setting, so I won’t be coming into the studio as nice as it is to be welcomed and invited, and I doubt very many other Autistics would, either.  I would be more than happy to share my thoughts and experiences with you via email, however.

        • http://setlafilms.com Thaddeus Setla

          Knowing that being on camera in a studio is not the best way to get your responses there might be a way to do a one on one interview to better help others get a sense of what you are talking about.  I respect your position and as we begin shooting more content I will do my best to represent adults and the spectrum.