Shelly McLaughlin & Laurie Reyes
Wandering and Elopement
Starts at 11:30 AM (EDT) May 15, 2023
Shelly McLaughlin
Shelly McLaughlin
Shelly McLaughlin joined Pathfinders for Autism in 2008 and is the program director. A parent to a son with autism, she has developed and conducted autism trainings for various organizations including the Maryland State Police, multiple county police/sheriff’s departments, Homeland Security, NYPD, US Secret Service, fire departments, EMS staff, corrections officers, colleges, Exceptional Family Programs, state’s attorneys and public defenders, adult medical day programs, restaurants, schools, hotels, libraries, foster care programs, and other professional organizations. Shelly is a certified police instructor by the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission, CIT certified through Montgomery County Police, and certified in Mental Health First Aid through Harford County Sheriff’s Office. She has also written several PFA Tips articles that have appeared in other publications, such as Chicago Special Parent Magazine and Autism Parenting Magazine.
Shelly McLaughlin joined Pathfinders for Autism in 2008 and is the program director. A parent to a son with autism, she has developed and conducted autism trainings for various organizations including the Maryland State Police, multiple county police/sheriff’s departments, Homeland Security, NYPD, US Secret Service, fire departments, EMS staff, corrections officers, colleges, Exceptional Family Programs, state’s attorneys and public defenders, adult medical day programs, restaurants, schools, hotels, libraries, foster care programs, and other professional organizations. Shelly is a certified police instructor by the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission, CIT certified through Montgomery County Police, and certified in Mental Health First Aid through Harford County Sheriff’s Office. She has also written several PFA Tips articles that have appeared in other publications, such as Chicago Special Parent Magazine and Autism Parenting Magazine.
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Officer Laurie Reyes
Officer Laurie Reyes
Officer Laurie Reyes has been a Montgomery County Police officer for 25 years. In 2005, she created and implemented what is now called the Montgomery County Police Autism and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Alzheimer's, Dementia Outreach Program and has served in this program since that time. Initially, Officer Reyes started the program to address the increase in calls for service involving individuals with autism and IDD and Alzheimer's, who were the focus of a report for a “missing at risk” person. The program has expanded to provide resources way beyond wandering prevention and awareness to include other calls and concerns from the mundane to the very serious. As she and other officers became more involved with assisting these communities, it became apparent, she needed to create a multi-level approach to the program: to provide education, follow up, outreach, empowerment and response. In an effort to better address the increasing trend responding to those who have autism/IDD and co-occurring mental health concerns, the program is now housed under the broader CIT Section of the Community Engagement Division.
Officer Reyes has received recognition from the White House as a White House, Champion of Change for Youth and Law Enforcement. In 2018 she was recognized by the Department of Justice and received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing. She also received a Governor’s Citation for the creation and continued coordination of the Montgomery County Police Autism/IDD, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Outreach Program. The program is recognized as a national model by such organizations as National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Autism Speaks, and Pathfinders for Autism.
Officer Laurie Reyes has been a Montgomery County Police officer for 25 years. In 2005, she created and implemented what is now called the Montgomery County Police Autism and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Alzheimer's, Dementia Outreach Program and has served in this program since that time. Initially, Officer Reyes started the program to address the increase in calls for service involving individuals with autism and IDD and Alzheimer's, who were the focus of a report for a “missing at risk” person. The program has expanded to provide resources way beyond wandering prevention and awareness to include other calls and concerns from the mundane to the very serious. As she and other officers became more involved with assisting these communities, it became apparent, she needed to create a multi-level approach to the program: to provide education, follow up, outreach, empowerment and response. In an effort to better address the increasing trend responding to those who have autism/IDD and co-occurring mental health concerns, the program is now housed under the broader CIT Section of the Community Engagement Division.
Officer Reyes has received recognition from the White House as a White House, Champion of Change for Youth and Law Enforcement. In 2018 she was recognized by the Department of Justice and received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing. She also received a Governor’s Citation for the creation and continued coordination of the Montgomery County Police Autism/IDD, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Outreach Program. The program is recognized as a national model by such organizations as National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Autism Speaks, and Pathfinders for Autism.
For additional information visit her:
