Photo by Tim Culbertson

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. -- According to the Autism Society of America, one out of every 91 children are diagnosed with autism. It's a disorder that is becoming more and more common and one many families in our region are dealing with.

It's for that reason that Sullivan County Sheriff Wayne Anderson is making sure all of his officers learn about Autism and how to recognize it.

Tracy Gott is the mother of a child with Autism which is why she is passionate about teaching others about the disorder, including officers with the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department.

The goal is to make sure officers will be prepared if they respond to a call that involves and autistic child or adult.

"They may think the child is just being rude or stubborn but that's not the case. Many children with autism are non-verbal," said Gott.

Gott says in some cases officers mistake an adult with autism for being on drugs.
That's one of the reasons Sheriff Wayne Anderson felt it was so important that his officers be able to recognize the different. The sheriff says he first realized how important it was that his officers received the training after hearing about an incident involving an autistic man in another state.

"The adult had a screw driver and the officers used deadly force. Had they known a little about the patient and his condition, they might have been able to talk to him and settle the whole situation," said Anderson.

Tracy Gott says it's not uncommon for someone with autism to become obsessed with carrying around a certain item. In some cases it could be a screw driver or something less threatening like a stuffed animal. She says they are also attracted to shiny objects.

"They might go for an officer's badge or they might reach for an officer's gun."

All things Gott says officers need to know about.

Gott is also encouraging those of you who have a family member with autism to notify your local police or sheriff's department. That way local authorities can put your information into their system in the case there is an emergency at your home.

If you have questions for Tracy Gott you can e-mail her at thegotts@charter.net
To learn more facts about the disorder visit the Autism Society of East Tennessee website at www.asaetc.org.