08/28/2025
Innovation in EMS Award Winner. Falck Orange County, is proud to be recognized for our Sensory Support program for neurodiverse and autistic patients.
With 1 in 22 children in California now diagnosed with autism, we saw the need for EMS-specific training and tools to provide better care. By adapting law enforcement’s INTERAC curriculum, our EMTs received hands-on training in autism recognition, communication strategies, and de-escalation.
The program also equips our units with Sensory Support Bags, including headphones, sunglasses, fidget tools, puppets, and communication boards, helping reduce stress and improve communication during emergency encounters.
The impact is clear: patients feel calmer and safer, and our clinicians are more confident in delivering compassionate care. 💙