Oct 6, 2022, Volusia [FL] Hometown News: First responders get tools to help autistic people in Volusia https://www.hometownnewsvolusia.com/news/first-responders-get-tools-to-help-autistic-people-in-volusia/article_d5936522-4341-11ed-9b62-43f35d9223f2.html
Kayden‘s Sensory Box is a tool box made up of essentials for people on the autistic spectrum or those who are susceptible to heightened sensory responses.
They come in handy in difficult situations, such as emergencies, fires, car accidents and natural disasters. The toolbox was urbanized by 15-year-old, Kayden Smith, a sophomore at Monarch Academy in Daytona Beach which specializes in children with autism or ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).
Kaden, who proudly introduces himself to police and firemen as autistic is on the autism spectrum. So he understands the need for them. He got the inspiration from his mothers friend, Cherish, who created “Brookie Boxes” with her autistic daughter in mind for Flagler County.
Kayden thought the sensory boxes were inspired and he, along with family and friends, started fashioning them for fire and police departments throughout Volusia County, in Georgia and even some in Massachusetts….
Autistic people often have sensory processing disorder, a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes through the senses. They either over-respond or under-respond to stimuli, such as sound, texture and smell. They may be overcome by strong odors, high pitch sounds or bright lights and experience sensory overload.
Kayden‘s toolbox addresses the needs of individuals and includes activities and objects to reduce anxiety and frustration. It’s equipped with noise-canceling headphones, universal toys like Rubik’s cubes, weighted blankets, paper, pen, crayons, coins, stuffed toys, bubble wrap, sunglasses and fidget items for all ages….
According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2021 about 1% of the world had autism. Prevalence is estimated at 1 in 44 for births and more than 5.4 million adults or 2.2% of the U.S. population is on the autism spectrum….
Volusia County launched an autism decal program to help alert first responders to the possible presence of someone with autism and the sheriff's office and fire departments continue to receive special training on the best strategies for encounters with people on the spectrum.
Kayden would like to see his toolbox nationwide, but he and his family can only handle them locally, said Donna Smith, Kayden‘s grandmother and sensory box assistant….
Capt. Lynn Taylor, from left, Kaden Smith and Luke Hoynoski, a driver-engineer, at the Ormond Beach Fire Department, which uses Kaden’s “Sensory Box.”
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