Come On, Let's Find Rocco: A Visual Autism Support Tool for Police, Fire, EMS, and 911 Dispatchers

Come On, Let's Find Rocco is a visual autism support resource created for police officers, firefighters, EMS professionals, 911 dispatchers, caregivers, educators, and every person who may be called upon to help an autistic child during an emergency. This book is based on real events. Rocco is a nonverbal autistic child with high support needs. When he learned how to open a secured lock and eloped from home, his mother called 911 while neighbors searched the surrounding streets. Rocco was located near the neighborhood mailbox, but safely reaching him created another challenge. He did not understand the danger, the urgency, or the fear surrounding him. Running could feel like play. A responder approaching quickly could add to sensory overload. To Rocco, the world can look like a giant playground. To his mother, that same world contains bodies of water, busy roads, highways, construction areas, harmful objects, unfamiliar people, hidden injuries, and dangers he may not recognize or communicate. This resource helps responders see both realities. Inside, readers will find: Clear guidance for 911 dispatch, police, fire, and EMS A practical response procedure for the first critical moments Information about elopement, sensory overload, communication, pain response, pica, and hidden injury Respectful guidance for approaching and connecting with a nonverbal autistic child A comparison showing how one autism diagnosis can look profoundly different in two children Reproducible family safety profiles and responder communication logs Emergency visual communication cards Visual sequencing tools for children who communicate differently Writable forms designed to improve preparation and continuity Created by Ashlee Savia DeConinck from lived experience as Rocco's mother and from her previous work as a Direct Support Professional, this book bridges autism awareness with practical understanding. Because recognizing autism is only the beginning. Understanding can change what happens next. This resource supports preparation and education. It does not replace agency policy, emergency training, incident command, medical care, or professional judgment.