MURRAY, KY– The Murray-Calloway County Emergency Medical Services ambulances are now equipped with sensory bags to assist with children and adults with special needs.

After participating in an Autism First Responder class, paramedic, Rachel Lane with Murray-Calloway County EMS saw a need in the community to provide additional support to individuals in need of emergency care with sensory processing disorders and other special needs.

Lane reached out to a local Facebook group, Families on the Spectrum, consisting of families in the area with children and adult family members who have autism, to learn more about items that should be included in the bags.

Lane took on the project, gathered, developed and donated sensory items for each ambulance in Calloway County. The sensory bags not only serve individuals with autism, but any special needs patient with sensory processing disorders, such as those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Various sensory items are included inside each bag, as well as a white board for communicating with non-verbal patients. All items are given to the patient after use, except the white board, which is sanitized and reused.

“Our goal is to meet the needs of all of our patients and make sure we are making those with special needs feel inclusive and comfortable when an emergency situation arises,” Lane said.

For more information, contact the Marketing Department at 270.762.1382.