Tuesday, April 2, 2024 is World Autism Day, marking the 17thyear to commemorate this important community topic. To highlight April as Autism Awareness Month, the White Settlement Police Department commissioned a new specialty badge and patch to raise awareness and increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism and other developmental disabilities. Officers have the option to wear the badge during the month of April.
The patch was designed by officers and employees who have loved ones or have experience in dealing with individuals with autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States.
In September 2022, the White Settlement Police Department launched an innovative program, “Take Me Home,” which allows parents and family members to register their loved ones with the agency who have autism, ASD, developmental disabilities, or diminished intellectual abilities. By registering a loved one, officers can readily identify a missing child or person to reunite them with family members. To date, several community members have participated in this program.