FSUPD introduces Autism Awareness Month patch

By Avery Slavin Asst. News Editor The Framingham State University Police Department (FSUPD) announced a new Autism Awareness patch campaign for the month of April. This is a new campaign the police department has introduced, alongside their Breast Cancer Awareness “Pink Patch Project” and their Childhood Cancer Awareness Month campaign. Sergeant Harry Singh said that FSUPD was inspired to begin the project after attending the Law Enforcement and Autism Co-Response Collaboration hosted at William James College in Newton. The training was hosted by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, and Singh described it as “incredibly insightful, providing valuable knowledge, real-world strategies, and practical tools to enhance communication to and understanding for individuals on the spectrum. “It highlighted the importance of collaboration between first responders, clinicians, and community partners to create safer and more effective interactions,” he added. Singh said during the training, he learned about the foundation’s Police Patch Fundraising Initiative for Autism Awareness, in which “hundreds of police departments partner with the Flutie Foundation each April to raise funds and promote awareness through the sale of autism-themed patches.” He said a “meaningful moment” from the training was being chosen to receive a $1,000 grant through a foundation-sponsored raffle. Those funds “made this project possible” and were used to design and purchase the patches and flex badges the officers wear on their vests. Chief Philip Di Blasi said FSUPD supports the foundation’s mission to promote autism awareness, safety, and acceptance. He said Sergeant Singh and the rest of FSUPD’s Community Engagement team worked hard to build a relationship with the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. Singh said autism awareness is especially important to FSUPD because it “directly influences how officers serve, protect, and communicate with members of the campus community.” He said it allows for more effective responses, as individuals with autism may respond differently in high-stress situations. They may avoid eye contact or be unable to respond to verbal commands. Awareness allows officers to adapt accordingly, so situations stay calm and collected, as well as ensuring trust from and support of a diverse campus community. FSUPD has collaborated with the Counseling Center for this project, specifically in support of the Blue Envelope Program, allowing any member of the campus community to obtain a blue envelope that holds important documents and communication guidance for officers to quickly recognize that “extra patience, clear instructions, and de-escalation techniques may be needed,” Singh said. He added the Center for Academic Success and Achievement also supports the initiative and helps spread the word about accessible resources for individuals who may need extra support, especially during interactions with law enforcement. The patch itself, finished with a rainbow infinity symbol, was designed by Dirty Water Collectibles. Run by a full-time Saugus police officer, the company has created specialized patches for FSUPD in the past, such as a breast cancer awareness patch, a childhood cancer patch, and this year’s autism patch. “He’s the one who makes my ideas a reality. I told him what I wanted, and we came up with our own design,” Singh said. Di Blasi said the best way the campus community can get involved is by “attending awareness events, participating in campus or local programs, supporting autism‑focused organizations, sharing educational resources, and engaging in conversations that promote acceptance and inclusion year‑round - not just during Autism Awareness Month.” Sophomore Ria Padayachee said, “I think the autism awareness project is a great way to inform the community. I think it teaches people how to be more inclusive to those who have autism.” Freshman Rachel Smyers said, “As a future educator, I understand that people with autism are very, very misunderstood. I’ve had the pleasure of working with many autistic children for the past year and have noticed that they’re the most insightful people I have ever met. “Any awareness of autism is important, not only for autistic individuals to be more accepted in communities, but also for their safety. Awareness can shed so much light on how people on the spectrum may think or act. I am all for it,” she added. Sophomore Elizabeth Rivers, who works and lives with individuals on the spectrum, said she loves that FSUPD is raising awareness about it. Rivers said, “I think it’s very important for people to be educated on the topic. There are still a lot of people who don’t understand disabilities, which is OK. That’s why it’s important to talk about it. “It’s also important to spread awareness to spread acceptance. There are still so many people who don’t accept people with disabilities and discriminate against them. The more people show their support to those with disabilities, the more likely people will be accepting of them,” she added. Senior Parker Winters said the officers wearing the autism patches brings a "positive attitude toward the community and makes sure people are being more inclusive. It’s good to see their excitement about it.” Junior Quincy Leary said he thinks FSUPD raising awareness allows students to “be more cautious and not judge others. They won’t look at them like they are lesser than anyone else.”