Since 2021, over 550 agencies nationwide have accepted the #AutismPatchChallenge - from the New York to Los Angeles, to Texas, to Boston, to Florida, to Wisconsin and to dozens of more states throughout the Country!  

The New Rochelle Autism Patch Challenge was started by the New Rochelle Police Department and the New Rochelle PBA, (Westchester County, NY) on 09 February 2017. It was created by New Rochelle Police Detective and PBA President Christopher Greco (retired), who is the father of a severly ill Autistic child. Detective Greco also founded Christopher's Voice - a former charitable foundation for autistic children.

The primary goals of the Autism Patch Challenge are to promote Autism Awareness and Acceptance in every community throughout the country by creating and attaching a custom Autism Awareness first responder patch to at least one emergency vehicle within each community’s police, fire or ems department during the month of April. (Autism Awareness Month)

As an alternative to a vehicle decal, creating an Autism Shoulder Patch is great too! 

The Autism Patch Challenge requires all participating agencies to review their training protocols when dealing with autistic individuals and to implement new or improved training for all officers. 

The Autism Patch Challenge also recommends that participating agencies fundraise by selling their autism patches, autism challenge coins and autism t-shirts. We strongly recommend that any funds raised as a result of this challenge be donated to LOCAL autism organizations, programs and charities.

By creating this challenge we hope that the world will see that America’s Police Departments and other first responders joined forces to demonstrate its continued support and love for all those living with Autism. 

Please join the New Rochelle Police Department during the month of April and accept the New Rochelle Police Autism Patch Challenge. 

Once the challenge is accepted please pay it forward by challenging three other police jurisdictions.

Please visit our Facebook page at New Rochelle Autism Patch Challenge

Click here for photos of the First Responder Autism Awareness Day Event at Ward School in New Rochelle NY.