TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (KUTV) — Jeff Wilson has a seven-year-old son who has autism spectrum disorder and was unable to speak for most of his life until he began learning sign language.
“When John started learning sign language, he was immediately enthusiastic and taught himself the language using his tablet. Today he knows over 700 signs or words,” said Jeff.
Jeff was working for Gold Cross Ambulance and started thinking about making autism kits so that first responders could better communicate with autistic patients.
What’s included in an autism kit? A board that patients can point to symbols and photos to help them better communicate their symptoms and describe how they are feeling, and a transportation board that explains in simple terms where they are going and why. The kit also includes headphones.
Jeff said, “John uses them to tell us that he needs a break, that he’s overwhelmed and exhausted and that he needs to be alone. So when he puts those headphones on, he’s telling us to back off.”
Jared Wright leads the Department of Public Safety’s Children’s Emergency Services. He spoke with Jeff about rolling out the program to all first responders.
“He came to me and we had the resources available for the program. I said ‘go ahead’ and he just went ahead and honestly we just support him and he does the rest,” Wright said.
But Jeff needs a lot more kits, and Liv Gilbert of Mountain America Credit Union is here to pay it forward with a $500 donation.
Gilbert didn’t miss the opportunity to deliver this donation because Liv has an 8-year-old brother named Asher who is autistic.
“It’s so amazing. I heard about his program yesterday and my boss called and asked me to participate. I almost started crying,” Gilbert said. “I thought, this is so amazing, this is so incredible.”
Mountain America Credit Union donated $500 to Jeff Wilson so they can continue to give back. Find ways to donate to Pay It Forward on the MACU website.
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