Considering this month is an important time to learn more about autism, we thought we’d ask you, our readers and viewers: If any of you have a close connection to autism spectrum disorder (perhaps you’ve been diagnosed, or you have a friend or child with autism), is there anything you wish more people understood?

Considering this month is an important time to learn more about autism, we thought we’d ask you, our readers and viewers: If any of you have a close connection to autism spectrum disorder (perhaps you’ve been diagnosed, or you have a friend or child with autism), is there anything you wish more people understood?

Officers touch on a list of serious and chronic mental health disorders and learn to identify their symptoms. In 2014, Fort Bend County seemed to be ahead of the curve, when the 1115 Waiver grant was approved for mental health training. Fort Bend County had implemented the 40-hour mental health police officer coarse training with the grant. They saw the need for this area and were proactive in getting officers prepared for what was becoming a rising trend: officers coming into contact with people who may have a mental illness or different types of health disorders. The State of Texas mandated mental health training for all officers in 2017.