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Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person who does not speak verbally needs medical help — AAC user, autism, stroke, or intellectual disability.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Grabbing body part, altered breathing, device not working.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Caregiver says "this is not normal for them."
Scene hazards: Misread behavior as refusal, Pain without vocal report
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Show phone to dispatcher video relay if service exists.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Scan wallet for medical ID QR.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Offer pen paper — some literate nonverbal prefer write.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not force eye contact if sensory painful.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Nonverbal adult/child, signs [list], caregiver phone.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Request paramedics familiar with disability — if option.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hospital with communication partner allowed.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Document baseline behavior for clinicians.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT ignore because person cannot describe pain verbally.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT confiscate AAC as "distraction."
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Nonverbal people cannot feel or express pain
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Pain shows in face, breathing, guarding, behavior change — assume pain until assessed.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Undertreated appendicitis or fracture.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — AAC batteries die — low-tech backup on wallet card helps.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Autistic meltdown looks different from medical distress — know baseline.