SAGINAW COUNTY MMR

EMS was called to a 10-year-old in crisis running around the road. EMS arrived and made contact with patient's mother. EMS gathered patient information and learned what patient’s interaction type was. EMS was able to establish a rapport with the patient. They informed the patient of some toys they have on the ambulance that he could play with. They were able to give the patient a hug, hold his hand, and successfully walk him to the ambulance. While in the ambulance patient wore the sunglasses, played with one of the squeeze balls which helped him begin to relax. While driving the patient back to his home, patient played with a bunch of the fidgets inside the Carter Kit which helped him become more comfortable. The crew was able to get the patient back home safely. Patient was excited to be back home so he could go swimming which is his decompression activity.

These kits are the best and continue to make a difference! 

 I used the Carter Kits with two younger male patients that were autistic. In the first instance I used all of the toys and also the weighted blanket. I had to take the weighted blanket back at the end of the call and I can understand the reasons for that but having the blanket in the toys was a big help in that instance. The patient had just had a seizure and was very agitated and the kit helped. 

The second time I used the Carter Kit it was a patient that was very sick with a cold. I just used all the toys, and it kept him occupied during the call. 

 Our co-responder team was requested by officers to a scene where a 13-year-old autistic male was in a crisis state. He was extremely agitated after an incident at school. His adult brother had to physically restrain him after he kicked the windshield of the vehicle causing it to shatter. Ambulance personnel administered Ativan to calm the juvenile so he could be transported safely to our local emergency room. After nearly 15 minutes, he calmed down but refused to get out of the vehicle. Our plan was to physically remove the child from the vehicle then restrain him to the ambulance stretcher. This was to protect him from hurting himself. The paramedic dreaded this tactic fearing it may cause the medication to work adversely. I asked mom if he liked sensory toys. She advised me he normally does but probably won’t play with them. I removed the rainbow caterpillar from the Carter Kit and it immediately caught his eye. He was still reluctant. I removed several other toys and began to play with them. It was obvious he was intrigued but still apprehensive. I offered him the sunglasses and he pouted and refused. I placed a couple of toys on the ambulance stretcher and backed away. To our surprise, he stopped fighting against his brother who was attempting to wrestle him to the stretcher and sat down on his own. He immediately grabbed both toys and began to play with them. His entire demeanor changed as he used the toys. I offered him the sunglasses and he nodded yes. I placed them on him with his permission and we all complimented him on how cool he looked. He smiled. He rode in the ambulance (without restraints) and complied with the paramedic’s assessment. Our team followed them to the emergency department. I greeted him as they lowered the stretcher to roll inside. He was still wearing the sunglasses and playing with the toys. I rewarded him with another toy. We all walked inside with what appeared to be the happiest kid we’d met that day.