Boy Scout with Autism Creates Sensory Kits for Emergency Responders

Adrian Allred poses with Fire Captain James Johnson from the Penn Daw Station while holding Adrian’s Resource Care Kits. Photo credit: ConnectionNewspapers.com.

For Adrian Allred, joining the Boy Scouts of America helped him find confidence outside of his comfort zone. Now the 17-year-old with autism has discovered a way to do the same for others who are also on the spectrum.

The Alexandria, Virginia resident has created 42 sensory packages called Adrian’s Resource Care Kits for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Thanks to Allred’s efforts, medic units from Fairfax County can reduce the anxiety levels of callers with autism or those experiencing a mental health crisis because of these kits.

Inside the black and neon green bag, people can feel at ease by using headphones, pipe cleaners, fidget spinners, and sensory balls.

This project began as Allred began the process of earning his Eagle Scout Badge, one of the highest achievements in the Boys Scouts of America.

Allred’s mom Jennifer said this journey has benefitted her son as much as the autism community because of the new experiences he has learned from it.

“It’s been great for him,” Jennifer said in an interview published on Connection Newspapers. “This has helped him work with his communication skills.”

Recently, the medical unit in Fairfax County called Medic 421 responded to a nonverbal child who was found wandering near their station. They used Allred’s kit to maintain the child’s concentration, which allowed the team to investigate the situation and return them safely home.

In response to the success of his kits, Allred remains modest at his life-saving contribution to his local autism community.

“It’s interesting,” Allred said in an interview published on Connection Newspapers.