37 www. ReadMPM. com | www.MountPl easantMagaz i ne. com | www. ShemCreekRes taurant s . com first “certified” autism friendly town in recognition of Mount Pleasant’s commitment to educating citizens on the signs, symptoms and best practices for individuals living with autism spectrum disorder. Starting with the Mount Pleasant Police Department and in collaboration with the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce and Office of Business and Tourism, the goal of the partnership with Just Bee is to build a city that proactively recognizes the behaviors of individuals with autism, engages the autism community by meeting their needs and is supportive of families navigating the difficulties of their child’s development. Just Bee offers a specialized course for police officers that empowers them to recognize signs of a meltdown and develop management tools. Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder, explained Luna, are non-verbal, which makes encounters with the police frightening for all involved. Because they cannot express themselves, especially in the throes of panic or stress, police officers are taught best practices for communicating with people with autism, including those that are or become non-verbal during an emergency. Just Bee also offers an online autism sensitivity training course featuring a curriculum developed by Dr. Diane Cullinane, a leading developmental pediatrician. The halfhour interactive online workshop guides business owners and their teams through ways in which they can better serve their customers, guests and clients with autism. Luna assures businesses interested in her course that receiving Just Bee’s designation as an autism-friendly business is an excellent way to tap into a client base that has, until now, been overlooked. One of Luna’s goals is to develop an app that allows families to find autism-friendly businesses and service providers in the area. These businesses would pledge to offer sensoryfriendly hours of operation, can partner with Just Bee on autism-friendly events and can even receive guidance on hiring members of the neurodivergent community. Luna and Mayor Haynie worked together to designate April as Autism Awareness Month. Mayor Haynie encouraged residents to become aware of autism indicators, seek early intervention and support those living on the spectrum. Luna and other families touched by cognitive and developmental disabilities share a fear that children and young adults with special abilities will be unemployed, underemployed, wardens of the state or homeless as adults and seniors because they may not be able to support themselves when they outlive their caregivers. “Why can’t our children have the same dreams as everyone else?” Luna asked, explaining that her child can do anything other children can do when his needs are met, and he receives the support he deserves. Nick Giecek, general manager of Nothing Bundt Cakes in Mount Pleasant, is no stranger to families’ concerns when their disabled loved ones age out of education and other programs. Giecek’s twin brother Drew has developmental delays. Once he aged out of school, Drew’s family wanted to ensure he was still living life to the our town Of f i cer Jerma i ne Gi l l i ard of the Mount Pl easant Po l i ce Depar tment engages wi th s tudent s .
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