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Copley mother/officer starts support group
By Marilyn Miller
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Tuesday, Oct 06, 2009
Wakeman patrol officer Julianna Trunko was working a security job at a retail store and couldn't believe the unsold hair brushes were on sale for just 10 cents apiece.
''It's an item that has a calming effect on my son, who is autistic, and here they were practically giving them away,'' the Copley Township woman said. ''I bought them all and started searching for other clearance items that could be put to good use.''
Three years later she is still checking the bargain racks and packing them up for a program she coordinates, Cops 4 Kids with Autism.
The first year she started the support group she only handed out items to people she knew.
''When I found out I wasn't alone with an autistic child, I just wanted to share with others,'' she said. ''I went through the whole guilt trip, what did I do wrong, until I got to know other autistic families in the area.''
Trunko, 34, has been on the Wakeman police force in Huron County since 2001. Her husband, Rawney, is a Summit County sheriff's deputy with 18 years on the force.
She said recognizing the special needs of autistic children should be something police officers need to know. She started researching to identify the families with children with autism.
Now about 50 officers from four different counties, including Summit, Medina, Cuyahoga and Huron, have joined the support group.
A dozen of them along with some friends gathered at her Copley home on Monday to pack baskets for the families of autistic children.
''Put the stuffed animals on the sides and in front and bags of Easter grass at the bottom of the basket to set the heavier items on,'' Trunko told the assembly line of volunteers. ''Be creative and don't forget the information packets and brochures [from the Autism Society of America].''
Just about every holiday was covered in the oversized baskets, from Halloween to Christmas to Valentine's Day to Easter.
The baskets included school supplies, toys, Paas egg dye kits, candy, stuffed animals and small toys.
''There's something for everyone in the family, including pets,'' Trunko said. ''Beauty supplies, household candles, peanuts, green tea and stuffed animal squeaky toys for cats and dogs. We even have some items for fish, birds and hamsters this year.''
Many of the items were donated from retail stores such as Walgreens, Walmart and Rite Aid and grocery stores such as Giant Eagle.
First encounter
Trunko said many times police officers are the first to encounter autistic children who wander off and get lost, so officers need to be aware of who the autistic children are in a community.
Dr. Nina Sand-Loud, a developmental behavioral pediatrician at Akron Children's Hospital, said a study released Monday by the Center for Disease Control states 1 out of 100 children is autistic. This is a significant jump from the previous study that put the number at 1 in 150.
She said autistic children are more likely to wander off, especially in big crowds where they may feel overwhelmed and want to escape their surroundings.
Officers, she offered, need to take care to not use sirens when they pull up to a house because the high-pitch noise can spark a tantrum.
She said police officers should look for signs of autism when dealing with children. Those signs include the child being nonverbal and tending to avoid eye contact.
Trunko said the officers will deliver 162 baskets in full uniform in their cruisers to the children and their families.
Summit County families will get their baskets this week and next week.
Rapport with officers
She's hoping the program will help the children establish a rapport with police officers. ''So many times children only encounter officers when something bad happens like a traffic accident,'' Trunko said. ''Too often officers are looked at like some big bad person with a badge.
''We want the child to feel comfortable around us so they will come to us automatically when they are in trouble or need help.''
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.
Wakeman patrol officer Julianna Trunko was working a security job at a retail store and couldn't believe the unsold hair brushes were on sale for just 10 cents apiece.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Tallmadge, OH
Posted 05:54 AM, 10/06/2009
This is the kind of pro-active work that benefits the world.
Canton, OH
Posted 10:50 AM, 10/06/2009
well said bubblehead
Akron, Ohio
Posted 11:52 AM, 10/06/2009
Good program.
Uniontown, OH
Posted 12:49 PM, 10/06/2009
With the ever-increasing number of children diagnosed within ASD, I wonder if police officers (and other emergency workers) are having some training done in working with/handling children in the spectrum. Sensitivity to lights and noise is certainly one of many challenges, as well as fear/resentment of being touched. Hope this program brings awareness...
Cuyahoga Falls, Oh
Posted 04:29 PM, 10/06/2009
What a great program. My grandson is autistic and his dad is APD. Where can we get involved?
Realityville, OH
Posted 12:37 AM, 10/07/2009
RainMan was always one of my favorite movies.
Posted 12:29 PM, 10/07/2009
I think most officers would Taser first and ask questions later.
