Autism-Friendly Designation Enhances City Services

Employee training and new tools increase support for all residents

by Sheryl S. Jackson Florida League of Cities

Cities throughout the state are recognizing the need for autism-inclusive services and programs. This year, the City of Parkland achieved an autism-friendly designation by the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD).

Mayor Rich Walker said, “Parkland has always been inclusive – it is ingrained in who we are.” Inclusive playgrounds that provide access to everyone, sports programs that pair young volunteers with children with special needs and local businesses that promote hiring of people with autism are a few long-standing features of the community.

Such features are becoming increasingly important. About one in 59 children in the United States has autism, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other reports, which analyzed data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, show an estimated state-level prevalence of diagnosed autism at 4.88% for Florida, one of the highest in the nation.

For Parkland, the journey to an autism-friendly designation began with Walker’s predecessor, Mayor Christine Hunschofsky. She spearheaded the creation of a committee to review the requirements of UM-NSU CARD’s program. The committee evaluated City services and identified strategies and tools needed to meet the requirements for designation and to enhance inclusion throughout City programs.

The process took about one and a half years and included training across all departments, said Walker. “Our public-facing employees completed in-depth online courses that included information about autism and discussion of situations they might encounter,” he said. While all employees received some education, employees at the Library and in the Parks and Recreation Department and school resource officers received the most intensive training.

Another component of the City’s initiative included the development of sensory maps and social scripts for public buildings. This effort required input from all departments and the steering committee to identify areas that might be stressful due to lighting, smells, noise and activity levels. Icons on the maps clearly show which areas of the building have potential sensory and sensitivity zones along with areas that are quiet or calm zones. In addition to the maps, social scripts use words and pictures to prepare people on the autism spectrum for what they will encounter in the building. Maps are prominently displayed at the entrance to public buildings, and the maps and social scripts can be found on the City’s website at cityofparkland.org/autismfriendly.

During a walkthrough of the facilities, Jacquelyn Moultrie-Sequeira of UM-NSU CARD tests the QR code at the entrance to the Parkland Recreation and Enrichment Center (P-REC) with the City’s Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Scott Harrison.

Photo courtesy of City of Parkland

“The staff at UM-NSU CARD made the process easy and worked with us every step of the way,” said Walker. CARD staff worked with the City to create an action plan and provided suggestions, training courses and evaluation of efforts throughout all steps. Although all of the other UM-NSU CARD Autism Friendly Partners are businesses that provide a welcoming environment for customers and hire people on the autism spectrum, the tools and guidance were adaptable to the City’s needs.

“There was no need to add staff, but Jackie Wehmeyer, our Senior Director of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs, served as the initiative leader,” said Walker. “This worked well because she also serves as our liaison to the Parkland Chamber of Commerce, working with local businesses that may also want to earn the autism-friendly designation.”

While there were some costs to produce materials such as sensory maps and social scripts and time for employee training, the expense is minimal and should not deter any city from pursuing the designation, said Walker. “The obvious benefit of this initiative is the help we provide to residents as we improve access to buildings and programs, and feedback from the community has been positive,” he said.

There was a surprising, less obvious benefit, said Walker. “It was a great team-building effort as people in different departments got to work together on the same project to reach one specific goal,” he said. “There is no downside to pursuing an autism-friendly designation as a city. You are only making your city better, and it’s a win-win for residents and staff.”

Information about the UM-NSU CARD Autism Friendly Initiative can be found at bit.ly/3SZHabS or by calling 800.928.8476, ext. 1 or 305.284.6563, or by emailing card@miami.edu.

Sheryl S. Jackson is a Writer/Editor with the Florida League of Cities.

How Other Cities Promote Autism Awareness

The City of Tampa was the first municipality in Florida to be recognized as autism-friendly. It received the designation from the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of South Florida (CARD-USF) in 2017. Today, the “Autism Friendly Tampa” initiative continues with a wide range of services. These resources include: ▸ Experience stories ▸ A registry for people with special needs to enhance communication with first responders ▸ Training and tools for first responders ▸ A therapeutic recreation coordinator for inclusive recreation programs ▸ Sensory Relief Zones at large events so individuals who are overwhelmed can take a break with noise-reducing headsets, sensory fidget items and a reduced visual area.

City of Tampa’s Sensory Relief Zone at a festival.

Photo courtesy of City of Tampa and CARD-USF

In the City of Greenacres, a series of community conversations sponsored by the Community and Recreations Services Department includes a discussion of the autism spectrum. The discussion is led by a Clinical Support Specialist at the Florida Atlantic University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. The Department also partners with a local nonprofit organization to provide a therapeutic tennis program for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders that focuses on teaching communication and life skills in addition to tennis.

The City of Coral Gables hosts a monthly social gathering for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism called My Squad. Activities have included karaoke and a “messy science project.” During Autism Acceptance Month in 2021, the Coral Gables Police Department unveiled a vehicle with messaging that promotes awareness of autism.

In the City of Atlantis, a registry for people with special needs has been created to enhance communications. Also, police officers receive crisis intervention training from experts from law enforcement and mental health communities. The training helps them recognize and respond to people with special needs or mental health conditions in order to de-escalate potentially volatile situations. For 20 years, officers have undergone the intense training that includes classroom lessons and role play with trained actors. The curriculum includes autism as well as cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, schizophrenia, mood disorders and adolescent and elder issues.