From Both Sides of the Desk — Autism, Family & the First Response Gap With Jennifer Kaufman

Today’s guest is Jennifer Kaufman — principal of a school for students with autism, founder of First Response Autism, and author of Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journey from Both Sides of the Desk. Jennifer trains police, medics, and firefighters to recognize and respond to autism with patience instead of panic — and she’s living it every day as the grandmother of a seven-year-old on the spectrum. In this episode we talk about: The reality that 93% of accidental deaths among autistic individuals involve water — and what responders can do about it. How to recognize autism on-scene vs. intoxication or defiance. The Blue Envelope Program and Responder Cards — simple tools that save lives. Communication moves that work: single-word prompts, calm tone, concrete language, and giving time to process. Why families, dispatch, and crews all have to play on the same team. It’s practical, raw, and full of takeaways every responder and parent can use right now. 🔗 Guest Info Jennifer Kaufman 📘 Author – Grandparenting on the Spectrum (Amazon & Barnes & Noble) 🌐 Website: firstresponseautism.com 📧 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 🎧 Tags / Keywords Autism • First Responders • EMS • Police Training • Fire • Dispatch • De-escalation • Neurodiversity • Parenting • Grandparents • Community Safety 🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.