Police officers will now be able to use a database when called out to an incident to see if anyone living at the address has autism.
The Autism Information Sharing Partnership launched a pilot scheme with Strathclyde Police to help address the unique challenges faced by people with autism who are victims of crime and accidents.
The scheme, trailed for 12 months in the north west of Glasgow, will also allow police officers to access important details such as any individual characteristics of the condition and a personal contact who can lead them through what can be a highly pressurised situation.
An estimated 50,000 Scots have autism with 6000 thought to live in Glasgow.
A range of autism organisations including The National Autistic Society (NAS) Scotland, Strathclyde Autistic Society and Scottish Autism are encouraging all young people and adults with autism in north west Glasgow to register with the pilot scheme.
Dr Robert Moffat, national director of the National Autistic Society (NAS) Scotland, said: "Autism is known as the 'invisible disability', because those with the condition can appear to be outwardly functioning well, while often experiencing severe challenges in communication and social situations.
"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 can have difficulty making eye contact, or find any kind of physical contact unbearable.
"They often have difficulty understanding facial expressions, can be very literal in their understanding of questions and easily misinterpret others’ intentions.
"In an environment of serious crime or medical emergency these types of misunderstandings can have serious consequences."
Strathclyde Police was the first force in Scotland to launch an Autism Alert card scheme in 2007.
Chief Inspector Simon Wright of Strathclyde Police said: "The Autism Alert card has proved very successful in supporting people with autism. But not everyone remembers to produce a card in challenging circumstances.
"The Autism Awareness Partnership pilot is designed to provide additional support for people with autism and their families, at what can be challenging times.
"Registering on the database will allow officers called to an address to quickly identify someone with the condition, improve understanding of their needs and offer them the best possible support. Keeping people safe, especially those with the greatest needs and at the most risk, is at the heart of Strathclyde Police."
Strathclyde Police first approached people with autism and their families in north west Glasgow in April 2012 to gauge interest in the pilot scheme.
From May 2013, an evaluation of the pilot will take place to establish any benefits to Strathclyde Police officers and staff, partner agencies and family members of children or vulnerable persons with an Autism Spectrum Condition.
The Autism resource Centre (ARC) will be administering the Information Sharing Partnership, in conjunction with Strathclyde Police.
To register with the Information Sharing Partnership contact the Autism Resource Centre by phone on 0141 276 7182 or by email.
Related articles
People who read this story also read
- Five-car crash causes rush hour delays for motorists on M8 near airport
- Family of missing woman 'want to know she is not in any trouble'
- Body found in hunt for teenager missing during fishing trip at quarry
- Social worker fraudulently claimed £35,000 in benefit payments
- Chemicals found in cosmetics and detergents 'could threaten male fertility'
To leave a comment, please sign in.