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"A person with autism's brain works differently than any of ours. They are totally wired differently," says Pam Black, a support group leader in Walker County.
Black's nine year-old son Ed was diagnosed when he was three and is the reason she hopes to educate law enforcement, and parents, on better working together to deal with these unique individuals effected by the disorder.
Black says, "We let parents know what their responsibilities are so the first responders are able to take care of theirs. As long as everybody's informed, everybody's safe."
Some of the methods include unique ways to indentify persons with autism as well as helpful guides for first responders in a number of situations.
Sumiton Mayor Petie Ellis says, "The more people that are educated about autism, that know what's going on and that sort of thing, I think the better off the community is."
Motivational speaker Jeremy Goike shared another important message at the meeting. The thirty-four year-old has faced his autism head-on, supporting himself, and even recently becoming a homeowner.
Goike says, "I even had friends that said I wasn't going to be able to support myself... In fact, I had one guy that told me I was going to be in a group home the rest of my life. I just, I just sat back, and I said, 'well, watch me.'"
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