Sandy Springs first responders training on autism

Sandy Springs first responders are training on how to how to deal effectively with autistic individuals.

The city said the first class on Sept. 17 trained 57 participants on such topics as how to handle an autistic person creating a public disturbance, checking for injuries on an autistic patient who becomes agitated by physical contact and overall difficulties in communicating.

Sandy Springs officials said the number of such interactions is growing, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about one in 64 Atlanta children were diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2010.