VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Virginia Beach paramedic and mother is reshaping how first responders approach patients with sensory sensitivities. Paramedic Bailey Hartley created the “COLT Kit,” named for her 4-year-old son, who has autism.
The COLT Kit helps first responders better communicate with people who have sensory sensitivities. For patients like Hartley’s son, loud sirens and flashing lights can be overwhelming, making assessment and information-gathering harder during emergencies, 13 News Now reported.
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“When I became a special needs mom, I kind of noticed there was a communication gap between our first responders and treating patients,” Hartley said. “Giving them the tools that they need to communicate really helps us with our assessment and treatment so we can make sure they are getting treated appropriately.”
Each kit includes sensory toys, fidget items, noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses and a dry-erase board to aid nonverbal communication. Implemented in August, the COLT Kits are already being used by Virginia Beach EMS on emergency calls.
