Autism Registry FAQ
• What is the Autism Registry?
The Registry for People with Autism is a City of Kawartha Lakes initiative in partnership with the City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service, the Kawartha Lakes detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police, the Kawartha Lakes Autism Support Group, Community Living and the Fenelon Falls Community Policing Group.
The online registry promotes communication and gives police quick access to critical information about a registered person with autism in a police emergency by capturing information such as a full description, routine/favorite attractions, communication and other special needs as well as emergency contact information.
• Can individuals with other communication disorders participate in this registry? Or is it restricted to those who fall within the Autism Spectrum?
This project has been spearheaded by the City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service & the Kawartha Lakes detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. Although registrations will be limited to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), the registry has been developed with the intent to expand into all communities where communication is compromised when interacting with police. This expansion will be considered upon completion of a formal evaluation.
• If I don’t live in the City of Kawartha Lakes , can I still register my child/dependent adult in the registry?
If you do not live in the City of Kawartha Lakes but your child/dependent adult visits here on a regular basis. (i.e. for school, daycare, shopping, visiting relative(s), etc.), then you should register. If the registrant is not in City of Kawartha Lakes regularly, there would be almost no benefit to registering.
• As soon as I send the registration, will the information be immediately available in case police response is required?
No. The registration form will need to be entered into a records management system in order to capture all relevant information. It is hoped that this process will be quick but it may take up to two weeks to be fully processed. You will receive a confirmation with an “Occurrence Number” for your future reference for updates, renewals, calls for service, etc
• After I receive my confirmation “Occurrence Number” will I need to quote this number when I call the police?
You will need to have this “Occurrence Number” to update the registration on an annual basis, or to make any changes as they become relevant.
During high stress situations, there is no expectation that you remember the number, but merely that the individual has been registered. Police will be able to verify the information using the person’s name once we have been advised of the registration.
• Who has access to a person’s profile?
City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service, and the Kawartha Lakes detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police personnel who require this information in the performance of their duties will have access to the information. There are strict regulations with respect to accessing and disseminating information. The City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service, and the Kawartha Lakes detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police share their information with the majority of small to mid-sized policing agencies. Depending where you are if an occurrence that requires police involvement transpires outside the area of the City of Kawartha Lakes, the police service that you will deal with may or may not have access to our records.
• Can I update my profile more than every year if there are changes? How do I do that?
You may update information that has been submitted however, only information that has a significant impact on policing response will be necessary. Some examples would include a change in address, school, or emergency contact. You do not need to report a change in hair cut or color, for example, as the police are familiar with the changes that can be made and are more likely to notice height, weight and eye color. You can send changes to:
• Will I be notified when the annual renewal is required?
The renewals are the sole responsibility of the parent/guardian. It is recommended that you renew the registration during the month of the registrant’s birthday.
• After my child/dependent adult is registered, and if there is an occurrence, do I need to do something to notify the police?
It is preferable that you let the police know that the individual is already registered. In doing so, the information will be immediately disseminated to the vehicles without having to ask the parent/guardian during a high stress situation.
• How will this registry help if my child/dependent adult goes missing?
If the individual goes missing and is reported by the parent/guardian, information about his/her physical appearance, the most likely places where he/she would go to, as well as triggers, stimulants, and de-escalation techniques will be sent to every police officer in the area to look for the missing person.
If the individual has not been reported and is incapable of effectively communicating his/her name to an officer, a computer check of the neighborhood, coupled with the physical appearance, may allow us to identify the individual more quickly. This will then allow us to use the contact information to connect with the parents/guardians.
In either instance if a photograph is sent at the time of registry it may assist officers in locating a missing individual.
• What guarantees do we have that the interaction between our child/dependent adult and the police will be positive once he/she is registered?
There is no guarantee with this registry of positive outcome. What the registry allows is the ability for patrol officers to have necessary information faster to begin searching. Also, if an officer comes across a “wandering” child who is unable to communicate, the officer, if they recognize the condition, can have the database queried for persons on the registry that live in the area.
What is important to stress is that simply having a person registered with the registry is not going to change police responses in every instance involving an individual with ASD. Police will act according to procedure depending on circumstances. An individual with ASD can still be arrested. In that case, being registered will assist police in contacting the correct people.