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Faculty

Katherine Koch

MEd, PhD, NRP
Professor of Special Education/Paramedic
St. Mary's College of Maryland/St. Mary's County Advanced Life Support

Katherine Koch, MEd, PhD, NRP, is a Professor of Special Education at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a nationally registered paramedic. She teaches courses addressing intellectual and learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, instructional methods, and research design. Dr. Koch is the author of two EMS textbooks—EMS Response to Patients with Special Needs: Assessment, Treatment, and Transport and Case Studies in EMS: A Reflective Approach.
Alongside her academic work, she is a volunteer paramedic and Quality Assurance officer with the St. Mary’s County Advanced Life Support Unit in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Her scholarship and practice are anchored in improving educational and patient outcomes for individuals with disabilities and those who support them.

2026 Sessions

Intellectual disabilities and Their Impact on Assessment in the Prehospital Setting

Yes, I understand

Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) may present with communication, cognitive, sensory, and behavioral differences that can significantly affect interactions with EMS providers during medical or traumatic emergencies. Understanding these differences is essential to ensuring safe, effective, and compassionate care.

This session will examine key characteristics of individuals with ID and their implications during an emergency response. Topics will include assessing decision-making capacity and obtaining informed consent, evaluating pain in individuals who may have difficulty expressing discomfort, and practical strategies to support assessment, treatment, and transport. Participants will leave with suggestions to reduce barriers and improve clinical outcomes for this population.

Presenter (1 Presenter)

Friday, October 02 8:30–9:30 AM
Room W330 A-C
Faculty

Katherine Koch

MEd, PhD, NRP
Professor of Special Education/Paramedic
St. Mary's College of Maryland/St. Mary's County Advanced Life Support

Katherine Koch, MEd, PhD, NRP, is a Professor of Special Education at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a nationally registered paramedic. She teaches courses addressing intellectual and learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, instructional methods, and research design. Dr. Koch is the author of two EMS textbooks—EMS Response to Patients with Special Needs: Assessment, Treatment, and Transport and Case Studies in EMS: A Reflective Approach.
Alongside her academic work, she is a volunteer paramedic and Quality Assurance officer with the St. Mary’s County Advanced Life Support Unit in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Her scholarship and practice are anchored in improving educational and patient outcomes for individuals with disabilities and those who support them.
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