BATON ROUGE, La. — Acadian Ambulance on Friday unveiled a new first responder autism resource kit to improve emergency response for individuals who are nonverbal.
Officials said the initiative was strengthened by a January crash involving Cole Wofford, a nonverbal 14-year-old teen with autism who was traveling with his father when their vehicle wrecked and responders initially faced communication challenges.
That realization contributed to the development of a picture-based communication board that allows nonverbal patients and individuals with communication challenges to point to needs, symptoms and responses. The tool was launched on Acadian medics’ tablets 15 days after the crash and is now available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
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The kit also includes a new educational video series developed with Aspire Behavioral Health to help first responders better understand autism and improve communication in the field.
“The kit is about empowerment,” said Rebecca Cummings, operations coordinator with Acadian Ambulance Service. “It is about giving our community tools that make a difference and ensuring every individual, regardless of how they communicate, is met with understanding, patience and respect.”
Cummings said the kit also includes a seatbelt identification tool designed to alert responders that an individual may be nonverbal, as well as resources addressing elopement risks and caregiver support services.
The crash occurred in Lafayette near the home of Morgan Mouton, a former Aspire Behavioral Health employee who recognized the situation and assisted first responders on scene. Mouton said she helped emergency personnel identify Cole as a patient at Aspire Behavioral Health and communicated critical information about his needs during the response.
“My husband was unconscious, so Cole had no way to communicate what hurt him, what he needed, what he wanted,” said Cole’s mother, Chloe Wofford. “I just think this is going to speak volumes for so many families and just do wonders to so many different people, not just children with autism, across the board.”
Wofford said the new resources provide reassurance for families facing situations where communication is limited or delayed.
“Huge relief,” she said. “Knowing these kids now have a way to communicate wants, needs, fears.”
She said she believes these tools could benefit more than just children with autism, including toddlers, individuals in shock or anyone unable to verbally communicate during an emergency.
Tim Wofford said the experience highlighted both the challenges and uncertainties families navigate while caring for children with autism.
“Knowing that this new program is in place and there’s going to be tools to use is all the difference in the world,” he said.
During the event, Acadian Ambulance and partners also recognized Mouton for her actions during the crash response and honored Cole for his strength and resilience.
The project was developed in collaboration with Acadian Ambulance, Aspire Behavioral Health, local law enforcement agencies and nonprofit partners.
Officials said the autism resource kit is available online and through participating sheriff’s offices across the region.
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