News You Can Use 2-5-23

On this Sunday’s edition of News You Can Use on WTIC NewsTalk 1080 at5:30a and 9:00a, host Ann Baldwin invites Dr. Kari Sassu, Director of theCenter of Excellence for Teaching and Learning at Southern ConnecticutState University to join the show and discuss Traffic Stop Practice forIndividuals with Autism.For everyone, a traffic stop can create some anxiety. For an individual withautism, it may have an even greater impact. Dr. Sassu explains theinitiative of The Blue Envelope Program, a tool created by the Departmentof Motor Vehicles and theConnecticut Police ChiefsAssociation. The Center ofExcellence on Autism SpectrumDisorders at SCSU, in collaborationwith the Southern Police, created atraining program that bridges theautistic community and lawenforcement in Connecticut. Dr.Sassu explains just how impactful this program can be for autistic driversand their families peace of mind.On Saturday, March 18th at Tunxis College in Farmington, autistic driverswill get an opportunity to experience a simulated traffic stop to practicetheir communication with Police as well as help alleviate anxiety in similarsituations. This event will be hosted by Farmington, West Hartford, Avonand Simsbury Police Departments, as well as the Southern ConnecticutState University Police Department.For more information on this event and all the Center of Excellence onAutism Spectrum Disorders has to offer, visitwww.southernct.edu/asd-center