Research shows that a substantial proportion of people with Autism come into contact with the police in their lifetime, and some research suggests that they are largely unsatisfied with their police interactions.
Thirty-five adults with ASD completed an online questionnaire regarding the challenges police may face when interacting with Autistic people, as well as provided recommendations as to how those interactions could be improved.
Respondents reported a variety of different potential challenges that could present in an interaction between the police and people with ASD. For example, respondents felt that typical Autistic behaviours, such as stimming or communication difficulties, could be misinterpreted by police officers and lead to adverse outcomes. Respondents discussed several recommendations aimed at improving police interactions with Autistic people, including involving Autisitc people in the training of police officers.
The information collected in this study provides insights into how interactions between the police and people with ASD can be improved. These findings can be used in the development of police training programs or integrated into pre-existing training programs on Autism, contributing the invaluable perspective of the Autism community.
Crown Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
References
PubMed
Interactions with law enforcement can be very traumatising as an Autistic and a person living with PTSD. The amount of misinformation and myths about Autistic people are harming the support and training provided to law enforcement. The ‘Autism Community’ is not the same people as the “Autistic Community.” The latter is made up of Autistic people of all ages, backgrounds, and locations worldwide. The other refers to parents of Autistics and professionals wiht an occasinal autistic token tossed in. Our communities real needs have been ignored, silenced or mocked for decades now. We’ve been in a civil rights movement for over 30 years now and these autism organizations and parents have locked us out of representation in legislation involving our own healthcare for years now. Autistic culture is ignored and/or mocked, and belittled by the Autism Community, and very often the Autism Community is ableist or ignorant to what supports and support systems we need for employment, housing, education, and more. Autistic people are treated like a disease, tragedy or national disaster. We suffer enormous amounts of prejudice and hate that’s institutionalized now and affects Autistics even on the playgrounds at school. It is my hope that doctors, first responders, and law enforcement work with the Autistic Community and Autistic people while creating these programs. Otherwise we’re going to be harmed again by the poor translations by parents who don’t understand autism at all. Autistic people are incredibly prone to suicide ideation and our #1 cause of early death is suicide. This must change. Before that can happen though … we need professionals and folks creating these programs to speak to reputable Autistic organizations and Autistic people before creating and implementing crisis intervervention education that cements more stigma and confusion to cloud the support we might recieve in a crisis. Autistic people make up the largest minority group in the world. Please reach out to us