Butler County police departments receive sensory kits
Five Butler County police and fire departments have a new bag of tricks to help children with autism and other disabilities during emergencies.
On Sunday, June 14, the Middlesex Township, Adams Township, Northern Regional and Penn Township police departments, as well as the Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire Company, received sensory kits from 12 Months of April, a nonprofit organization focused on spreading awareness about safety programs for people with autism.
Kati Maas-Crawford, the founder of 12 Months of April, is a teacher at Whitehall Elementary in Allegheny County and a mother to a 6-year-old daughter with autism.
Maas-Crawford said she started 12 Months of April based on her own experiences and national events. The program initially sought to spread awareness about safety resources available for people with autism and other disabilities.
While talking to a social worker, Maas-Crawford said she learned about how sensory kits could help people with autism and other disabilities during emergencies. She also learned the kits were expensive, ranging from $50 to $150 at retail.
Maas-Crawford realized her family already owned many of the items in sensory kits and she could make her own out of the surplus. With that realization, she began to create sensory kits for first responders out of spare items.
Some of the items included in the kits are Play-Doh, fidget spinners, Pop-Its and crayons. The kits are packaged in clear gallon bags or backpacks so children can see the items inside.
As of June 2026, 12 Months of April has donated over 1,100 sensory kits to first responders in the Pittsburgh area, according to its website.
As 12 Months of April expanded across the Pittsburgh area, officer Robert Okavitch contacted Mass-Crawford and said he wanted Middlesex police to join the program. Police Chief Justin Bouch agreed to join the program because he saw the sensory kits as a welcome addition.
“Who knows when we’re going to need it or if we’ll ever need it, but it’s another tool in our kit that can be used if needed,” Bouch said.
Bouch then informed area police departments about the kits at the Butler County Chiefs of Police meeting. Although some area departments, such as Buffalo Township, already had sensory kits, three other Butler County departments, as well as the Middlesex Township volunteer fire company, decided to participate in a distribution event at the Middlesex Township municipal building.
The departments joined Middlesex police for a training session about “how to better recognize and respond to children with autism and other special needs during emergency situations,” according to a Middlesex police Facebook post.
After the training concluded, the first responders present received sensory kits for their departments.
Although Middlesex police have not had to use the sensory kits on a call yet, according to Bouch, other first responders have found creative ways to use their kits.
“We put small bubble wands in there for fun, but it also helps someone regulate their breathing,” Maas-Crawford said.
She also explained how West Deer EMS in Allegheny County used the stuffed animals in their kits to explain to children what they plan to do to help them.
Middlesex Township police plan to do more with 12 Months of April in the near future. Some ideas for collaboration between the department and program include a toy drive to provide more items for sensory kits, as well as a full training session for officers next April, according to Maas-Crawford.
Maas-Crawford said 12 Months of April plans to donate sensory kits to other Butler County first responders, including Quality EMS and Butler EMS.
