Blue Bridge Autism Training

09/24/2026

11 Days out. There is still time to join our Instructor Class. This is your sign.

09/08/2026

We are less than one month away from our next Blue Bridge Instructor class.

This is your sign to make the jump, GET IN THE GAME, be the change, and create the world we all dream about for our loved ones.

2 hours per day for 4 days. I'll teach you everything you need to know to teach First Responders about our loved ones and have a real impact.

Link to details in the comments.

08/29/2026

37 Days out...

This is your sign to make the jump, GET IN THE GAME, be the change, and create the world we all dream about for our loved ones.

2 hours per day for 4 days. I'll teach you everything you need to know to teach First Responders about our loved ones and have a real impact.

Link to details in the comments.

08/21/2026

Announcing Blue Bridge Instructor Course #7!

Be the change. Join us in this movement!
We now have over 65 Instructors from all walks of life: Cops, Parents, EMTs, Paramedics, Firefighters, SAR Professionals, and even a Chaplain.

We WILL reach every first responder in the country.
We WILL teach them about our loved ones.
We WILL respect the challenges and realities of their jobs.
We WILL drive change.

It's not about just delivering information (that's the easy part). It's about generating buy-in from those we most need to understand. That's my wheelhouse. I'll teach you everything I know.

(Yes, this is for you)
(Link to more info in comments)

07/13/2026

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Dayton Ohio

Chief Deputy %^$ # #,

My name is Captain (R) Gerald Turning. I am a retired police officer from Monmouth County, New Jersey, and President of Blue Bridge Autism Training.

A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by Detective %^$ # #, who requested my assistance in providing resources and support to a Montgomery County family in need. The mother of a young man with profound autism was desperate for help regarding her son. She had contacted Detective %^$ # # as a near-last resort.

This contact involved no current investigations, complaints, or involvement with your agency. Detective %^$ # # was simply the only phone number of an authority figure this woman possessed.
Detective %^$ # # found my contact information among some older paperwork in her possession and reached out to me.

Together, we were able to provide this mother with several viable state and county resources to meet her needs. I hope this information provided value and relief to the family.

I wanted to take a moment of your time to acknowledge and compliment Detective %^$ # # for her efforts. She was under no obligation to pursue this matter as diligently as she did. She pursued this not out of legal obligation, but because she wanted to help a family in need. One could argue this shouldn't be noteworthy in our profession, but I have unfortunately found that it is.

Raising a child with Special Needs is quite often isolating, lonely, and terrifying. Families are often desperate for help, hope, and empathy. Detective %^$ # # provided all three. Fraternally, she has my utmost respect. As a Special Needs father myself, she has my undying gratitude.

Sir, please forward this to the appropriate individuals within your Command Staff with my compliments as an example of how small actions can have a significant impact. We need more of this in our profession. You have a fan in New Jersey.

Fraternally,

Captain (R) Gerald M. Turning Jr.
President, Blue Bridge Autism Training

05/28/2026

Try this little thought experiment. It's incredibly enlightening:

1. Pick a topic on which you are very well informed and educated. It doesn't matter what that topic is, just pick a topic that you understand more deeply than the average American.

2. Find a news article referencing that topic.

3. Read the comments from random people.

What did you realize?

05/08/2026

“What do you do for a living?” ☺️

04/03/2026

Thank you, Think Differently, Orange County, New York, and Orange County Sheriff's Office, New York for your dedication and service. It’s an honor to work with you!

Today we celebrate the invaluable contributions of autistic people to communities worldwide. We support and emphasize that all are able to shape their own lives and help to shape our shared future.
In support of World Autism Day, Sheriff Arteta is highlighting our Blue Envelope Program. A voluntary tool designed to support neurodiverse drivers during police interactions. This program specifically enhances communication and reduces the potential for misunderstandings between law enforcement and drivers with autism during traffic stops. The Blue Envelope Program serves as a valuable resource for commuters in Orange County. Simple to use; the driver of the vehicle just needs to hand the officer the designated blue envelope that contains a copy of their driver's license, vehicle registration and insurance card. Each kit comes with the blue envelope, instruction card and an optional window decal. The decal will let law enforcement know that the driver is a blue envelope participant and prompt them to ask for the blue envelope.
The program can be found in any DMV Office in Orange County and at the Sheriff's Office. To request a kit by mail, please email [email protected].

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

April is Autism Awareness Month, and as a search and rescue team, we’re taking a moment to reflect on how we continue to learn, grow, and better serve our entire community.

We’re still incredibly inspired by the presentation from Blue Bridge Autism Training and Captain (Ret.) Jerry Turnings this past November. The knowledge he shared left a lasting impact on our team, reinforcing the importance of understanding, communication, and preparedness when working with individuals on the autism spectrum.

What made it even more impactful was the collaboration—fire departments, police officers, EMS, and other search and rescue teams joined together for this training. It was a powerful reminder that when we learn together, we respond stronger together.

Trainings like these don’t just make us better responders. They strengthen our ability to connect, support, and advocate. They empower not only our team, but the entire community, by building awareness and fostering safer, more informed interactions.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from such impactful leaders and remain committed to ongoing education that helps us serve everyone with compassion, respect, and effectiveness.