Autism 101 for Police Officers:

* When a child or adult with autism becomes missing from their family or caregivers it must be
considered a priority in the handling of the investigation. Regardless of age the case should be
treated as if a child of tender age has disappeared. Time is of the essence. These individuals are
prime targets for abuse and wandering without recognizing dangerous situations.

* Individuals with autism can't be identified by appearance. They look the same as anyone else.
They're identified by their behavior.

* Individuals with autism tend to have an under developed upper trunk and are at higher risk of
positional asphyxiation. When restraint is required officers need to be aware of this medical fact
and act accordingly and be sure to adjust position often.

* Some individuals with autism do not have the normal range of sensations and don't feel the
cold. They may not seek shelter if lost out in the cold. This will affect the way a search for a lost
child with autism is conducted.

* Individuals with autism may engage in self stimulatory behavior such as hand flapping, finger
flicking, eye blinking, string twirling, rocking, pacing, making repetitive noises or saying
repetitive phrases that have no bearing on the topic of conversation. This behavior is calming to
the individual, even if it doesn’t appear calming to the officer. If these behaviors are NOT
presenting as a danger to themselves or others it is in the officer’s best interest not to interfere
with it. Allow it to continue as long as they are safe and safe to be around. Trying to stop it may
cause the individual act out aggressively.

* Speak in short clear phrases “Get in,” “Sit Down”, “Wait here” An individual with autism may
take longer to respond to directives, and that can be because they don't understand what's being
demanded of them, or even just because they're scared, they may not be able to process the
language and understand a directive when fearful.

* Individuals with autism should be kept away from the general prison population whenever
possible, including time in holding tanks. Their lack of understanding of social situations makes
them prime candidates for abuse.

* These individuals may have a weak understanding of cause and effect. They have little
concept of consequences.

* 50% of individuals with autism are nonverbal throughout their life span another 20% may
present as nonverbal when highly stressed.

* 40% of individuals with autism will develop epilepsy or some other seizure disorder by the end
of adolescence. Know that when dealing with an individual with autism, they may experience
seizures.

* Officers may encounter Autism by one of its many other names. The differences are not
important for officers to know. What is important is that they will be familiar enough to know
that these are one form or another of Autism:
Autism
ASD -Autism Spectrum Disorder
Aspergers Syndrome and/or NVLD (Nonverbal Learning Disorder)
PDD- Pervasive Developmental Delay
PDD NOS- Pervasive Developmental Delay Not Otherwise Specified

*Pennsylvania Police Officers need to remember to use their "Silent No More communication boards" that they were issued in 2005 if they're faced with an individual who seems unable to communicate meaningfully.

* Individuals with autism are strongly attracted to water. Drowning is a leading cause of death
among children and adults with autism. Officers should check area pools, ponds and streams
when looking for a lost child. Hoses, irrigation systems and fountains would also be very
attractive to them.

* Whenever possible, avoid touching these individuals. Some, but not all individuals with
autism, will become more agitated and possibly aggressive when touched.

* ID methods. Families use any number of ways to help children be identified.
Medic Alert Bracelets are one way but often individuals with autism won’t wear the jewelry
because they are sensory defensive.

* Families may thread the ID into a shoelace, into a belt, or as a zipper pull. It may also be a
necklace.

* Some families put a business card into a small case and put it in a pocket of their children’s
clothing.

* ID tags could be sown or stamped into the back of collars.

* On vacation or in large crowd settings many of our families create temporary tattoos with the
child's’ name and their cell phone numbers and place it on the upper shoulder.

* When an officer needs to ask for identification use short simple questions, “What is your name?”
“What is your address” may be more effective over the range of the spectrum than “ Give me
your identification?” Extra words or long difficult words make it more difficult for these
individuals to understand what is being asked. Use short simple words. Wait 3 seconds, and
then ask it again. Processing requests takes time for these kids.

* If the individual is nonverbal or appears to be nonverbal, they may be able to write or type the
information you need, offer a pen and paper or computer. They also may be able to read above
their speaking ability. Writing questions may be helpful in gathering information.

*Because these individuals thrive on routine, officers may be more likely to receive calls from
our families during times of the year when routines are disrupted: for example, the end of
December and during summer vacation. Any change in routine can cause the emergence of
challenging behaviors. That would be early June, late August and the end of December.

Susan F. Rzucidlo compiled this information from families and police officers across the nation. All copyrights are maintained
by SPEAK Unlimited Inc. More information for first responders can be found at www.PaPremiseAlert.comPOLICY CHANGE AS OF 6/1/08 All rights reserved contact Susan Rzucidlo at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for written permission to
reproduce. © 2003-11