Hillsdale, MI: Sheriff's office now equipped with sensory kits for interaction with autistic people

May 30, 2025, Hillsdale (MI) Daily News: Hillsdale Sheriff's Office now carries sensory kits for individuals with autism

The Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office is now carrying special equipment in every patrol car and at the jail to improve interactions for members of the community with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

A grant by the University of Michigan - Flint provided deputies with autism sensory kits, which Sheriff Scott Hodshire said will lead to more positive interaction for persons with ASD. Each kit includes a multi-textured stuffed animal, a variety of fidget devices, earmuffs and sunglasses.

For non-verbal autistic persons, the kit includes picture cue-cards and a dry-erase board to establish a form of communication.

"It's our hope that, through the use of these items and continued training, we can be better equipped to diffuse difficult situations with individuals on the spectrum and provide more positive interactions between our deputies and the community," Hodshire said.

Family members of those with ASD or other conditions can register at Smart911.com to provide as little or as much information as desired to inform dispatchers in case of an emergency.

Hillsdale County 911 Director Thomas Whitaker said about 1,000 residents have registered on the website so far. The information provided allows dispatchers to quickly relay critical information to first responders.

A study from the Taylor and Francis Group in 2021 showed persons with ASD are at greater risk of police contact due to characteristics associated with autism, such as emotional dysregulation and anxiety.