Exceptional trauma-informed care
Photos by Christopher Ginn and courtesy of Alisha Fletcher October 02, 2024
91原创鈥檚 Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism receives high honors from the state of Delaware
In November 2023, a 32-year-old man with autism was visiting his brother in Delaware. During a visit to Lowes with his brother, the man had trouble leaving the lightbulb section of the store, which had captivated his interest. Recognizing the rising distress in his autistic brother, he called 911 for assistance and several state troopers responded. One of the officers鈥攚ho had received training from Charles Sawchenko of the Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism鈥攅ffectively used techniques to support autistic individuals during times of stress or crisis. After 30 minutes of empathetic support, the officers were able to help the brothers safely leave the store together.聽
91原创鈥檚 (DNEA), funded by Delaware Health and Social Services and housed in the 鈥檚 (CEHD) (CDS), is Delaware鈥檚 statewide training and technical assistance center for autistic individuals, their families and the professionals who support them. Since 2016, DNEA has supported thousands of Delaware families and professionals, often partnering with organizations like Autism Delaware and Nemours Children鈥檚 Hospital. DNEA鈥檚 first responder training program recently received the 2024 Compassionate Champion Award from the Delaware Family Services Cabinet Council, Trauma Matters Delaware and the Office of Governor Carney.聽
鈥淭he largest part of our work is working closely with professionals across all disciplines, which includes everyone from childcare providers to mental health professionals to doctors and first responders,鈥 said Sarah Mallory, CEHD assistant professor, director of the CDS Health and Wellness Unit and DNEA principal investigator. 鈥淲e鈥檝e even worked with museum staff, who wanted to make their spaces more inclusive for autistic individuals. We like to say that if you鈥檙e likely to interact with a person with autism in your professional career, we will support you in using evidence-based and neurodiversity-affirming practices.鈥
DNEA鈥檚 first responder program聽
DNEA鈥檚 first responder training program is led by Alisha Fletcher, a licensed clinical social worker and director of the DNEA in CDS, and Sawchenko, a DNEA training coach. Fletcher first met Sawchenko, a former social worker and retired Delaware State trooper, through her work for CDS and immediately recognized his passion for educating his colleagues about individuals with disabilities.聽
Together, they began developing the comprehensive training program, which educates participants about autism, provides compassionate strategies for supporting autistic individuals during a crisis and includes video scenarios that allow participants to discuss new approaches and skills. For example, Fletcher and Sawchenko often provide handheld manipulatives (sometimes called 鈥渇idgets鈥) that can help calm an autistic individual when they feel overstimulated or overwhelmed.聽
鈥淲hen we do a training, I always introduce my daughter, who is 17 now and a non-speaking autistic person,鈥 Sawchenko said. 鈥淸The participants] don鈥檛 know what it means to be a non-speaking autistic person or what stimming or self-soothing behaviors are. And it鈥檚 important to give the family perspective. The parents [of autistic individuals] have been through so many challenges鈥攕leep disturbances, food issues and more. If you judge them and think 鈥淭hese are just bad parents,鈥 you lose, right away. But, if you鈥檙e in a situation and you win the hearts and minds of the family members, you can [do your work more successfully] because the family members know that you understand and you鈥檙e empathetic.鈥澛
New this July, the DNEA has also launched a driving program that allows autistic drivers and passengers to practice live traffic stops with Delaware police officers.聽
鈥淲e鈥檙e giving autistic drivers and passengers the opportunity to interact with police officers in a safe and friendly environment,鈥 Fletcher said. 鈥淭hey can participate in a mock driving situation where they鈥檒l be pulled over and can practice using different resources we provide, whether that鈥檚 a video model or one of our written guides.鈥澛
DNEA鈥檚 impact across Delaware聽
The DNEA鈥檚 impact across Delaware is broad and deep. During the 2024 fiscal year alone, the network served 14,056 Delaware professionals and families, which represented a nearly 40% increase in their activities since 2023. Across all programs, the DNEA provided training to 2,284 participants and disseminated professional development resources to 9,316 individuals.聽
Since November 2022, DNEA鈥檚 first responder program has trained more than 300 Delaware firefighters, police officers and emergency medical services personnel from more than 55 Delaware agencies and departments. Six additional trainings are scheduled for the fall of 2024.
鈥淚 think one of the things that really sets the DNEA apart is that we exemplify research to practice,鈥 Mallory said. 鈥淎cross all of our programs, we translate evidence-based practices for different audiences. We are an interdisciplinary team, and we鈥檙e all coming from different backgrounds in which we have professional expertise.鈥澛
Exceptional trauma-informed care
In May 2024, Mallory, Fletcher and Sawchenko accepted Delaware鈥檚 in the first responder category. Zainab Shah, assistant director of victim advocacy in 91原创鈥檚 Division of Student Life, also won the 2024 Compassionate Champion Award in the education category. These awards recognize exceptional trauma-informed care provided by individuals and organizations in Delaware.
Delaware鈥檚 Developmental Framework for Trauma-Informed care includes creating respectful, sensitive and culturally competent environments, implementing evidence-based trauma-informed principles and practices, enhancing communication in trauma-informed care and increasing the effectiveness and responsiveness of all services provided to Delawareans, especially children and adults who have experienced traumatic circumstances.
To learn more about the DNEA and its services, .
Contact Us
Have a 91原创aily story idea?
Contact us at ocm@udel.edu
Members of the press
Contact us at mediarelations@udel.edu or visit the Media Relations website
