North Ward Center Newsletter

This story originally appeared in The Star-Ledger April 23, 2010

NEWARK -- A state trooper found Tahira Williams last week running alongside the southbound lanes of the Garden State Parkway and realized something wasn’t quite right. He pulled over and helped the 19-year-old autistic woman into his patrol car. 

"He probably could tell she has a disability," said Williams’ mother Kim, who was relieved that a trooper found her and was able to navigate her from harm’s way.  Law enforcement officers and first responders learned this week how to handle situations like the one the state trooper faced on the Garden State Parkway at autism awareness training sessions held at Newark’s new Center for Autism.
The center, headed by Michele Adubato, deputy executive director of the North Ward Center, officially opened this week with speeches and three, two-hour training sessions for firefighters, police officers and paramedics.

The center is expected to be a significant addition to the state, which has the highest rate of autism with one of 94 children diagnosed with the disorder. Newark Fire Chief Michael Lalor, who has required his entire department to attend classes at the center, also pointed out that people with mental disabilities, including autism, are seven times more likely to come into contact with first responders than the general population.

During this week’s classes, instructors explained what constitutes autism and discussed the behavioral characteristics of the neural disorder and what to do when an autistic person goes missing. 

Gary Weitzen, who has an autistic 16-year-old son, told first responders they should look for every available body of water in the vicinity of the missing person because people with autism are attracted to water.

"They have no fear of danger," said Weitzen, who led the first class, which was filled with more than a dozen of employees from the Newark Fire Department and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office.

Armando Fontoura, Essex County Sheriff, said the training will teach his officers to be more patient with those with autism. Niles Wilson, deputy director of the Newark police department, said the city’s officers will also attend training sessions.

In addition to training law enforcement and first responders, the center will offer family support programs, adult services, diagnostic treatment, and other support.

Williams said she is looking forward to bringing her daughter to the center because of its wealth of resources.

"It’s a safe environment where they could be the best they can be. It’s a place where they can thrive," she said.