Mich. EMS Agency Equips Rigs With Autism Sensory Kits for Kids

MLive.com, Walker, Mich.

Every Mobile Medical Response rig in Saginaw County is now equipped with an autism sensory kit designed to soothe children with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs during emergency situations thanks to a growing local initiative.

These autism sensory kits, called Carter Kits, contain noise-canceling ear muffs, sunglasses, a weighted blanket, sensory toys and fidget devices and are now being used by emergency responders throughout Saginaw County and beyond.

“Anything we can add to our ambulances to help us be better equipped to care for children who have special needs in our community is a huge plus,” MMR Paramedic Supervisor Bill Weaver said in a statement.

In December, emergency personnel with five Saginaw-area departments received the first Carter Kits during a press conference at Saginaw Fire Department Station No. 1, 801 Federal Ave. The event was attended by 5-year-old Carter Severs, who has autism spectrum disorder and for whom the kits are named, his parents, Justin Severs, a Saginaw Township police detective, and Kelley Severs, their friend Andrew Keller, an area Realtor who donated the first 10 kits, Saginaw firefighter Brandon Hausbeck, and others involved in the effort.

A month later, departments across the state and even across the country were looking to get involved and organizers were preparing to travel to Cullman, Alabama to provide emergency responders there with 10 of the kits.

“We’ve had about 20 states reach out to us at this point,” Keller told MLive/The Saginaw News ahead of the trip in January. “It’s been incredible.”

Dr. Ellen Preen, a clinical neuropsychologist who graduated from Yale University and whose 19-year-old has autism, has also been involved in the effort, according to a Carter Kits news release.

A recent donation of more than $10,000 from the 100+ Women Who care-Mid Michigan membership is helping grow the program locally. And as of mid-February, 84 Carter Kits had been distributed to 18 municipalities in six states. Keller said out-of-state departments that express interest in Carter Kits are asked to raise their own funds or to find sponsors—the kits cost about $60 each. Locally, donations can be sent care of the Saginaw Community Foundation.

Learn more at carterkits.org.