Name
Autism and EMS Response: Answering the call without causing more trauma!
Date & Time
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Shawn Snaith
Description

Snaith, a Critical Care Paramedic and Medic Training Officer at Medic EMS of Scott County, is both a healthcare professional and a parent of two autistic children, Gracie (12) and Christian (7). In 2019, Snaith and his family launched the ASD Sensory Project at Medic EMS after recognizing the need to better educate healthcare providers about autism and reduce the risk of meltdowns and severe stimming during EMS or healthcare encounters. Together with his wife, Elizabeth (a Behavioral Health Specialist) they developed this presentation to blend personal experience with professional expertise. Drawing on both perspectives, they aim to help EMS providers deliver care that is less traumatizing for individuals with autism and sensory disorders. This session provides education from a parent’s viewpoint, enhanced by professional insights into best practices for care. Participants will view videos offering a perspective on what it is like to experience autism, along with live demonstrations of effective de-escalation techniques. The project’s mission is to ensure that individuals with autism receive compassionate, supportive EMS care that avoids turning emergencies into lasting traumas. Since its launch, the ASD Sensory Project has trained EMS personnel across Iowa and has been featured at events such as the Southeast Iowa EMS Conference and the IEMSA Conference in 2025. Through this program, the family continues to advocate for quality care that addresses sensory, emotional, and communication challenges in emergency settings.

Location Name
Meeting Suites 1 - 6
Full Address
Resch Expo
840 Armed Forces Dr
Ashwaubenon, WI 54304
United States
Session Type
Lecture
CAPCE Topic Area
Autism
CAPCE Category
Medical
Number of CE Credits
1
Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, the participants will be able to:

1. Identify ASD and what clinical presentations to look for.
2. Provide EMS Response to ASD patients as well as MVC’s with ASD Patients.
3. De-escalate ASD patients.
4. Understand treatment for patients with Autism and how to create Sensory Bags