Attendees at the Unpuzzled Parents Connect first responder training watch a presentation earlier in the week at the Tower Event Center in Marietta. (Photo Provided)

MARIETTA — A local nonprofit is working to better equip first responders with the tools and training to support individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities during emergency situations.

Unpuzzled Parents Connect recently launched an expanded training initiative aimed at law enforcement, emergency medical service personnel and firefighters across the Mid-Ohio Valley and beyond, according to founder Whitney Price. The first two-day training session took place Tuesday and Wednesday at the Tower Event Center in Marietta.

The organization, which serves families throughout West Virginia and the Mid-Ohio Valley, provides support and resources for parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its newest effort, part of what the group calls its “impact program,” focuses on improving interactions between first responders and individuals on the autism spectrum.

“We wanted to support the officers and first responders out of Ohio because they did not have any type of autism training,” Price said.

To address that gap, the nonprofit partnered with trainers from Marshall University to provide specialized instruction. The training covers recognizing signs of autism, understanding communication barriers and implementing de-escalation techniques in high-stress situations.

In addition to instruction, first responders who participate receive sensory kits and de-escalation bags, including items such as fidget toys, sensory tools and communication aids designed to help calm individuals experiencing distress.

Price said the organization plans to continue offering the training on an ongoing basis and expand access to agencies that have not yet participated.

“We will be able to continue this program for them,” she said, referring to departments across Ohio and the region.

The nonprofit is also making the sensory kits available to agencies in Wood and Washington counties that may not have received them during initial training sessions. Departments can request kits directly through the organization by emailing unpuzzledparentsconnect@gmail.com.

Funding for the program was provided by the Marietta Community Foundation.

Unpuzzled Parents Connect is a volunteer-run organization led by parents of children with disabilities. What began as a small support group in Pleasants County has grown into a regional network offering a wide range of services.

Those services include parent support groups in multiple counties, educational workshops, advocacy training and sensory-inclusive community events. The organization also works with schools, having reached about 4,000 students last year through classroom inclusion kits promoting kindness and awareness. That number is expected to double this year.

In addition, the group provides training for medical providers on creating sensory-friendly environments and navigating insurance challenges, and recently launched a support group for fathers and male caregivers.

Price said the organization’s goal is to create a more inclusive and informed community for families navigating developmental disabilities.

“We are 100% volunteer based, run by parents who have children that are on the spectrum or with some type of disability,” she said.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.