CLEVELAND — Interactions with law enforcement can be nerve-racking for anyone, but the lights, sirens and added stress of the situation can be especially hard for those with sensory processing issues.
Some people try to cover their ears to block out the wailing sirens or shield their eyes from the red and blue flashes of light. Others get so uncomfortable that they start chewing on things or retreat into themselves.
It can be not only traumatic for the individual, but inhibit crucial communication with the officers, especially in emergency situations.
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Starting this month, though, Cuyahoga County sheriff’s deputies will be carrying sensory kits with resources to try to make the experience a little easier, especially for children and adults with autism, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder or other conditions that make them more sensitive to sound, touch, light, taste, smell or movement.
The kits include things like noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses, a blanket, teddy bear, stress balls, a chew necklace and a couple of different fidget toys to help calm or comfort them. They also come with communication cards to aid conversations with those who may be nonverbal or too frightened to speak.
“If you have somebody on scene who’s struggling, and you’re not sure what they need, we can hand them the set and say, ‘tell me how you’re feeling,’” Sgt. Patti Miller, who created the kits, told Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. “We can help them navigate through that situation feeling a little bit safer and more secure in what we’re doing.”
Miller is a former police officer for the Department of Developmental Disabilities and got the idea for the kits after talking to families that were involved with the Special Olympics about the struggles some of their children face in the community. She also thought back over her career and times when she wished she had some of the items to offer people at scenes.
“With sensory issues becoming a more common thing, I think it’s important for us to have these resources and tools available,” Miller said.
The department has 25 kits, which Miller said will be distributed to daily road officers first, with more to be added if demand increases. The kits cost about $60 each and were paid for out of the department’s general fund dollars.
Eventually, Miller also hopes to make the kits available in various county buildings.
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