Autism and police: Everyone gets a bit nervous around the police. Unlike a regular conversation, we understand that law enforcement is imbued with seriousness, and interacting with it has stakes. It’s important to follow instructions, answer questions, and seem non-threatening. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can struggle with all three.
This topic is challenging to address because it has ended in violence. NPR reported that in 2020, police fired on a 13-year-old boy with autism having an attack. In North Carolina, police handcuffed a child after throwing a tantrum at the mall, per WCTI’s coverage. These events are far too common and risk escalating to tragedy.
Many ASD behaviors or communication difficulties draw the attention of law enforcement. At ABA Centers of Georgia, we want to provide the best information to ensure you and your loved ones can be safe during interaction. These interactions can be life-altering, and you should prepare your child for the eventuality. Similarly, police officers should be aware of the tell-tale signs of autism.
This article explores the importance of achieving this mutual understanding, recognizing behaviors that might trouble the police, providing guidance on communicating with individuals with autism about the police, and offering recommendations on instructing police officers to treat those with autism with respect and sensitivity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced this year that one in 36 children eight and under will be diagnosed with autism. The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders reports that by 21 years, nearly one-fifth of individuals with autism had interacted with law enforcement. Now, more than ever is the best time to understand the condition. Autism is broad, encompassing a spectrum of behaviors that range from barely noticeable to severely limiting.
ASD is identifiable by neurological changes that impact how individuals feel stimuli and interact with others. What may seem like a standard sound level or a friendly hug to a neurotypical person can be anxiety-inducing and painful for a person on the spectrum. Shared struggles include difficulties with sensory (sight, sound, touch, smell) experiences, routines, lack of social context, and poor understanding of personal space.
Communication difficulties can manifest as delayed speech or limited nonverbal communication, making it challenging for individuals with autism to express their needs and emotions effectively. Since they struggle with interacting, they can shut down, run away, or throw tantrums to express their feelings when things get too overwhelming.
What Makes Autism Unique?
It is essential to recognize that autism is not a choice or a behavior problem but rather a neurodevelopmental condition that shapes an individual’s experiences and interactions with the world. This understanding is crucial for law enforcement officers, as people with ASD may not fully control their actions.
Autism and Police
Law enforcement frequently deals with dangerous people. This exposure to constant violence can predispose them to assume the worst during split-second situations. Additionally, they have families and individuals they want to come home to. Self-preservation is a strong motivator for keeping many officers vigilant.
People with autism struggle to understand the above or find reading that the tone of voice and posture of a police officer has turned from friendly to apprehensive difficult.
Some of the behaviors that might trouble the police when interacting with individuals with autism include:
1. Lack of Eye Contact: Many individuals with autism have difficulty making or maintaining eye contact during conversations. While this is a common trait among those with autism, police officers can misconstrue it as evasive behavior or an indication that they are scanning for something in their environment.
2. Sensory Overload Reactions: Individuals with autism may react strongly to sensory stimuli, such as sirens, flashing lights, or even the tactile sensation of being touched. Autism specialists call these “meltdowns,” which are similar to tantrums. During this state, individuals may resist, thrash, yell, and even hit, but rarely to cause real damage. Handcuffs can be particularly upsetting.
3. Repetitive Gestures and Actions: Some individuals with autism engage in repetitive behaviors called “stimming,” such as hand-flapping, rocking, or tapping objects. Police officers are happiest when they can see your hands, and you aren’t doing any sudden movements. Many on the spectrum may find it difficult not to stim under pressure.
4. Difficulty with Verbal Communication: While verbal communication challenges are a well-known aspect of autism, it’s crucial to emphasize that these difficulties can manifest as the individual being unable to respond promptly to questions or instructions, potentially leading to misunderstandings. They may also not understand the social context of law enforcement or cooperating.
5. Literal Interpretation of Instructions: Individuals with autism may struggle with understanding figurative language or sarcasm. This quirk can result in them taking statements or commands from law enforcement officers very literally, potentially leading to unintended consequences.
6. Rigidity and Routine Adherence: Many individuals with autism rely on routines and predictability to navigate their daily lives successfully. An unanticipated police encounter is something they weren’t expecting, and based on the event’s novelty and the individual, they can become anxious and refuse to treat the deviation as part of their day.
7. Misunderstanding Social Norms: Police interactions unfold within a delicate social context. A power imbalance, weaponry, rights, and legal ramifications are present in these encounters. Individuals on the spectrum may not appreciate these things and might treat an officer as just another person talking to them. For example, they might not realize that running from the law differs from escaping a caretaker.
Tips for the Police
Police departments benefit from autism awareness and compassion. The following are tips that departments or individual officers can implement to improve their communication with ASD individuals.
1. Autism Awareness Training: Many police departments have started instituting expert training on identifying and approaching people with ASD. Over time, this raises police awareness of neurodiversity.
2. De-escalation Training: De-escalation refers to calming a situation down instead of worsening it. Effective communication, maintaining calm, not raising your voice, and patience can help. Shining light directly in a neurodivergent individual’s face, grabbing them, or keeping the sirens close can exacerbate the problem.
3. Avoid Demands and Commands: Responders can use a more collaborative approach by offering choices or alternatives instead of issuing. Giving options can lessen resistance and anxiety.
4. Special Needs Registry: Many counties now store information about individuals with disabilities, including Georgia’s Madison County. Parents can call in and provide information about their loved ones, leaving behind contact information. With this system, officers can quickly identify if someone has unique needs and avoid conflict.
5. Specialized Units: Usually called Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), these are police officers who specialize in mental health. Dispatch can send them to incidents that might involve individuals on the spectrum.
Talking To Your Child about the Police
There comes a time when we all need to have “the talk.” Everyone needs instruction on police behavior. Here are some strategies for talking to someone with autism about the police and ensuring their safety:
1. Use Clear and Simple Language: When discussing the role of the police, use plain and straightforward language to convey information. Avoid using complex or abstract concepts that may be challenging for someone with autism to grasp.
2. Role-Playing: Practicing scenarios with individuals with autism can be a valuable tool. Role-play different interactions with law enforcement, allowing them to practice appropriate responses and behavior. Behaviors like raising their hands, answering yes or no, and informing the officer of their condition can be learned.
3. Designated Emergency Contacts: Ensure your child has your information nearby. Police officers don’t like people reaching into their pockets, so teach your child to vocalize contact information and encourage them to tell officers that they should call you.
ABA Centers of Georgia and ABA Therapy
The world can be frightening, and we all want to give our children the best chance to meet it head-on. At ABA Centers of Georgia, we can help with every step of your child’s growth. We specialize in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, the best way to teach kids on the spectrum skills. From simple achievements like dressing and cleanliness to gains in communication skills, ABA can directly influence interactions with law enforcement.
ABA is individualized and, through positive reinforcement of healthy behaviors, teaches coping mechanisms for situations that your loved one uniquely struggles with, and with in-home help, it’s easier than ever to receive attention.
We have locations over Georgia in Atlanta, elsewhere in Fulton County, and Marietta. Call (855) 929-5058 or message us for a free consultation.
