(Canada) BC: Autism support group to train first responders
- 21 hours ago
- 1 min read
A new autism support organization says it will deliver specialized training for first responders with the goal of helping them safely respond to emergencies involving people with autism.
Sylvain Formo, autism director and co-founder of ORCAS Society of B.C., said the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy with autism in Surrey last year accelerated the launch of his organization.
“I think it took this one incident for it to kind of become a flashpoint for everyone to get used to this ... there is a real, legitimate danger for people with autism,” said Formo.
Chase de Balinhard was shot and killed by B.C. RCMP police officers on Feb. 9, 2025, while they were responding to a mental health call.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C., which is called any time police are involved in a situation that results in death or serious harm, cleared the officers of wrongdoing.
"Some of the people with autism shut down in emergencies,” said Formo.
“Some like to run. There are so many reactions that are different from a neurotypical person.”
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