In honor of Autism Awareness month, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will display blue ribbons on their patrol car antennas for the month of April, to actively participate in increasing Autism Awareness in the community. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. Undersheriff Paul Howell says it’s critical that officers have a working knowledge of Autism, and the wide variety of behaviors individuals with Autism can exhibit in emergency situations. This past year, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received specialized training in how to effectively interact with individuals with Autism.