"Autism Awareness Initiative for Emergency Workers: The 'Just Bee' Program"

In a significant move towards promoting understanding and inclusion, REACH of Sheridan, an organisation dedicated to supporting individuals on the Autism Spectrum and neurodivergent community, has been actively engaging with local authorities, businesses, and community groups.

The Mayor, Chief of Police, Sheriff, Chamber of Commerce Team, DSA, all 5 elementary schools, Ambulance and Fire Department, local businesses, and state representatives have all been part of the discussions, aiming to promote the cause and create a more welcoming environment for neurodivergent individuals.

One of the key partners in this initiative is Just Bee, a non-profit organisation based in South Carolina, with a mission to create a world where individuals with Autism and Neurodiversity are treated equally, fairly, and compassionately. Layla Luna, CEO of Just Bee, recently gave a program about autism education to several first responders in Sheridan, South Carolina, on August 21.

Jane Magelky, originally on the REACH board, has taken a step further in this mission. She has gone back to school to become a social worker, demonstrating the commitment of individuals within the community to make a difference.

Just Bee's efforts extend beyond education. They offer first responder training to improve the outcomes of interactions with autistic individuals. They also provide seat belt covers with their symbol, as well as bags for first responders to help diffuse situations with autistic individuals.

Rhonda Kuehn, President of REACH, got involved with the autistic community about a year ago. She emphasised the importance of educating the community about autism and welcoming neurodivergent individuals. Rhonda shared her personal experience of feeling lonely due to her grandson's autism diagnosis and the lack of understanding from others.

The organisation is also working towards getting Wyoming on board with the national movement for Neurodivergent license plates. The Just Bee symbol is intended to become as recognizable as the handicapped symbol, aiming to provide immediate identification for individuals with autism and neurodiversity.

For more information about REACH and their initiatives, contact Rollie Hruza at (307) 752-2499 or email at [email protected].

It's worth noting that a high percentage, 58%, of people killed by police had a mental health issue that contributed to the incident. This underscores the importance of initiatives like these, aimed at bridging the gap between first responders and neurodivergent individuals.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, there are 68.2 million people who are neurodivergent. With such a large population, it's crucial that communities like Sheridan continue to take steps towards understanding and inclusion.

53% of autistic individuals have four or more interactions with police in their lifetime, many of which are described as negative. By working together, organisations like REACH and Just Bee hope to end discrimination against this growing population through education, awareness, and technology.