Available in choice of two formats:   MP3 Download $15  or  Compact Disc $23

Autism Awareness for Fire and Life Safety Education
Track(s): Fire & Emergency Services, Public Education

William Cannata, Jr., Autism and Law Enforcement Education Coalition

Audio Sample:




This workshop will provide teachers and first responders with an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), growth rates, theories, common characteristics, effective communication methods, and some practical skills on how to effectively interact and teach this audience. Captain Cannata will provide information on how first responders can recognize an individual with ASD and discuss how actual incidents were handled. Captain Cannata will also discuss the unique learning styles of children with ASD, common components of effective teaching programs, and how to use these techniques to teach safety skills to children with ASD.

Captain William A. Cannata, JrWestwood Fire Department637 High St.Westwood, MA 02090Bill has been a member of the fire service for 32 years. Bill has been an officer with the Westwood Fire Department for the past twelve years. He also has been a Massachusetts Fire Academy instructor for 15 years. Bill became a member of Autism and Law Enforcement Education Coalition (ALEC) in November 2003. In January of 2006, he became the statewide coordinator of ALEC. ALEC currently educates first responders across the state of Massachusetts about Autism Spectrum Disorder and how to better understand a person who is on the spectrum. ALEC has trained over 11,000 first responders in Massachusetts.Bill is currently the co-chairman for the Autism Society National Task Force. Bill is also the parent of a child with ASD.