Gold Award Girl Scout Creates Sensory Kits For Emergencies

Gold Award Girl Scouts don’t just change the world for the better, they change it for good.

For her Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting, Kailey recognized that individuals living with autism need additional support to remain calm in emergency situations. Kailey designed 12 sensory medic kits to support EMTs, fire fighters, and police personnel when assisting people who have been diagnosed with autism. The kits included therapeutic putty, noise cancelling headphones, fidget toys, sunglasses, coloring books, vinyl lap pads, communication boards, and more.

Throughout the project, Kailey enhanced her organizational, leadership, and communication skills. She developed trainings with the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin that identify traits associated with autism and coping strategies during an emergency, so first responders feel more prepared to assist people with disabilities in stressful environments. Kailey is now partnering with Waukesha County Technical Institute to make additional sensory medic kits and host more community trainings.

“As a Girl Scout living with autism, I hope my project creates awareness about the challenges people with disabilities face and generates more empathy, understanding, and acceptance for a unique group of people,” said Kailey.