Check out BE SAFE in action across the country in 2015


NOVEMBER 20, 2015

The audience got involved when Emily and Tom Iland presented BE SAFE: Teaching Essential Skills for Interacting Safely with Police. It’s always a great conference; hope to see you at OCALICON 2016, too!


OCTOBER 21, 2015

Lt. Tim Troxel of the Upper Moreland Township Police Department took the lead to bring BE SAFE to Willow Grove. “A Be Safe Interactive Movie Screening is an excellent safety program that raises awareness for everyone involved,” Troxel said.


SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Positive energy filled the room at our BE SAFE Interactive Screening at Harford Community College in Bel Air, MD. Dozens of officers engaged with self-advocates for a really fun learning experience for everyone involved.


SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

It was standing room only at the BE SAFE Interactive Screening at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, MD. Self-advocates enjoyed the chance to get to know officers and practicing how to BE SAFE in different kinds of encounters with police. Many thanks to Cheryl Antlitz and Rise for Autism for sponsoring this event!


SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

We had nearly a 1:1 ratio of officers and participants at an excellent BE SAFE Interactive Movie Screening at the Montgomery County Police Headquarters in Gaithersburg, MD. Self-advocates enjoyed the chance to get to know officers and learn to BE SAFE. Many thanks to Shelly Allred and Pathfinders for Autism.


SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

Everyone needs to know how to interact safely with police. We had a full house at the BE SAFE Certificate Course sponsored by Pathfinders for Autism held at the Hussman Institute. Representatives from more than 20 different organizations learned how to use the BE SAFE teaching materials with diverse learners.


AUGUST 8, 2015

Thanks to Tisa Hawkins and Renee Taylor for sponsoring our Be Safe Workshop in Odessa, TX. A good time was had by all!


JUNE 10-11 2015

Our Experience Autism™ team trained more than 100 officers from Burbank Police Department through engaging, hands-on activities. Captain Michael Albanese stressed the relevance of the training and the goal of improving outcomes during contact with the growing population of people with ASD. Officer Sean Toth, who has daughter on the spectrum, asked fellow officers to take the training to heart and learn ways to respond effectively to this special population.


JUNE 3 2015

Thanks to the Conejo Valley Friendship Circle and deputies from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Malibu/Lost Hills station for a great BE SAFE Interactive Screening. Participants had a great time practicing safety skills like asking for help. The Officer Simon Says activity was a big hit to practice following instructions! Nathan said a highlight was meeting the deputies. Jason says the event was excellent and he learned, “Always do what the police tell you to do.”


MAY 20 2015

Temple Grandin and Friends, Club Nokia Los Angeles was an exciting event with special guests and performances focusing on employment of people with autism. We hired people with autism to make Be Safe The Movie and they added tremendous value and authenticity to the project.


22 ABRIL 2015

Conferencia en español y Feria de Recursos celebrando el mes de autismo, Huntington Park CA. La presentación de Emily Iland es “Nuestro Camino con el Autismo: Lo Que Hemos Aprendido.”


APRIL 11, 2015

Thanks to the Special Needs Network for inviting Emily Iland and Tom Iland to present at Tools for Transformation, Saturday April 11. The audience was enthusiastic about Emily’s presentation on  safety tips and  BE SAFE. Tom got a standing ovation for his panel presentation on friendship and relationships.


MARCH 10, 2015

Twenty eight officers and deputies from five different agencies interacted one-on-one with guests of Jay Randolph developmental services and other members of the Portland, Indiana community. Chief Nathan Springer of the Portland Police Department wrote this thank you note: Thank you for making this event happen.  I really enjoyed it and felt like it was very beneficial. I have spoken to several of the officers that were at the training and all of them felt the same way.   The Portland Police Department would be open to more training with all of you in the future.


MARCH 3, 2015

Experience Autism® Hollywood: Sixty LAPD officers participated in Experience Autism® at Hollywood City Hall, sponsored by the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council. Six simulations helped officers understand what it feels like to have ASD.


FEBRUARY 28, 2015

Our audience was excited to learn about safety tools during the BE SAFE session at Involved Exceptional Parents’ Day in San Diego. Self-advocate Tom Iland encouraged parents and educators to teach safety, including the 7 Key Skills shown in BE SAFE The Movie.


JANUARY 30, 2015

After the Experience Autism™ training, Inglewood Police officers and school security officers were delighted to meet students from Inglewood Unified School District for a BE SAFE Interactive Screening.


JANUARY 30, 2015

School security officers joined Inglewood Police officers to experience the features of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in an engaging morning of activities. One officer summed up the impact of Experience Autism™, saying, “I learned a lot about ASD. The training was wonderful.”


JANUARY 29, 2015

ESC 18 brought the BE SAFE Certificate Course to Odessa Texas. Educators learned to maximize use of the BE SAFE tools with a wide range of learners.