LAPD Honored for Taking Lead in Autism Awareness Training Acknowledgement Comes from Autism Society of Los Angeles NA12052rf

What:   
A ceremony sponsored by the Autism Society of Los Angeles (ASLA) to acknowledge the LAPD for being on the leading edge of autism awareness training

When:       
Friday, March 16, 2012
8:45 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Where:   
The California Endowment Center
1000 N. Alameda Street
Los Angeles 90012

Who:       
State Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (Northridge)
State Assemblymember Holly Mitchell (West Los Angeles)
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck
Many Prominent Los Angeles Community and Business Leaders
                 
Why:   
To publicly acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of the Autism Society’s LAPD Autism Awareness Program and confirm a mutual commitment to continuing what has become a very productive partnership.

Part of an ASLA event entitled Harnessing Our Power: Mobilizing the Autism Community in Los Angeles County, the recognition ceremony symbolizes a proactive, highly effective partnership that began in 2007. To date, nearly 4,000 LAPD personnel have received training that promotes awareness, understanding, safety and skills for law enforcement officers to properly recognize and respond to those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

The training has also been responsible for starting an LAPD autism support group and an ASD community education program, along with inspiring a special live training day during which volunteers with autism and their parents played out various scenarios so detectives could practice interacting with autistic people and their families.

The event also includes workshops and presentations led by various community and business leaders to mobilize the autism community by creating action plans and policies that meet the needs of people affected with ASD.

Contact:   
For further information, please contact ASLA training leader Emily Iland at 661-297-4205 or the LAPD Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.