Law Enforcement and Autism: a 101 course for Parents
• Police Officers are in the business of helping people.
The majority of them went into this field because they wanted to make
a difference and help others. When the civilians and Police Officers work together they
can solve problems and make their communities better for everyone.
• Get to know your local Police Officers.
Call and ask them to stop by when they have time to get to know your family and your
child. They will be happy to do that. Getting to know who is in their community is
important part of a police officers job. Introduce yourself and your child to them at local
public events. Fill out a Premise Alert Form and take it to your local police department.
Work with your school and police department to start the “Utilizing Police
in the Schools” Program that can be found at www.papremisealert.com It is free and easy to
start. It is the most effective, least expensive training program you will ever see.
• Teach your children that Police Officers can help them.
Individuals with autism tend to be very concrete thinkers. They are going to need to know that if
they are ever in trouble to go to a person in uniform and ask for help. Do not threaten your
child with arrest or jail if they don’t do their homework, refuse to clean their room or decide
not to go to school. Those are issues to work through with your IEP team or Behavior
Specialist. The police are the people they are going to need to feel safe approaching when
they are in the community as children and as adults.
• Teach your child to provide identifying information to Officers
Start teaching your children to give their name, address and phone number as soon as
they are able. If they are nonverbal, teach them to show an ID card or American Sign
Language. Even if the Officer cannot Sign, he/she will understand that there he/she is working with a person who has special needs.
• Teach your child how to safely approach a Police Officer.
When a child is young, say up to 6 years of age, a police officer will easily be able to
recognize the excitement of a child around his/her uniform or car but as the child ages the
behaviors will appear to be menacing. It is important to teach children to walk up to an
officer, not run at them. Also teach them to keep their hands out of their pockets and not
reach for the officer’s badge, gun, or flashlight.
• Provide information before a crisis. Check out this website www.papremisealert.com
Download a form, fill it out, and take it to your local Police Department.
• Always disclose your diagnosis to an Officer.
You and your child should disclose the diagnosis as soon as possible. Teach your child to carry an ID card or Medic-Alert Bracelet so that in the event of a crisis and the child or adult is unable to speak or give his or her information the police will be able to know that there is a diagnosis to be considered.
• Families of children with autism are not immune from abuse
If an Officer or hospital worker takes time to investigate the possibility that your child
has been abused due to bruises or scars from self-injurious behaviors, try not to be offended.
They are working to protect your child. They don’t know you or your family they have to
go off of what they are seeing. It is good that they care enough to look twice. Provide a copy
Autism 101 for Mandated Reporters to your local police, it can be found on our website.
• When you call the Police, they will come
I know that sounds pretty basic but realize that when you call the police they will come and do what they need to do to contain the situation. Parents need to understand what that means. When the Police have trouble they have no one to call, except for more police. Most times and most interactions end well with the situation being resolved without physical contact or further action, but your child may be arrested, may be handcuffed or tasered if necessary. Your child may be subject to an involuntary psychiatric commitment that will last no less than 3 days.
• Learn the number for your County Crisis Intervention Team.
They work under the department of Mental Health and they are a resource that may be helpful to you and your child in the event of a behavioral or mental health crisis. Work to
make sure they have the training and expertise to help during a crisis. Call your local Department of Mental Health to get the phone number, add it to your cell phone director and emergency numbers for care providers. In Pennsylvania check our website to find the number for every counties Crisis Intervention Hot Line.
• Police Officers are not doctors, psychologists, or Behavior Specialists.
We are truly fortunate in Pennsylvania that by the end of 2008 every police officer in the state will have received autism training. That does not mean they can diagnose, recognize it on the street, or use perfect de-escalation techniques. Their training will give them a thumbnail sketch of the disability and some suggestions to improve interactions. An Officers job is far more complicated and involved than dealing only with individuals with autism. The training is to provide some insight and techniques that should improve understanding and interactions. For more information on the autism specific training contact Dennis Debbaudt at www.autismriskmanagement.com
• Autism is NOT a get out of jail free card.
People with autism can form intent and do commit crimes; many cannot and so need to be treated in a different manner. If someone who cannot form intent repeatedly causes harm or damage in the community it may be in their best interest for them to be placed in a setting that will allow them appropriate freedoms and supervision to remain safe and keep the public safe as well. It is critically important to access all available resources for assistance such as a county or state agency that provides support services, community advocacy groups and support groups to find information on how to best protect your child or adult child.
Written by Susan F. Rzucidlo. All copyrights are maintained by SPEAK Unlimited Inc. More information for first responders can be found at www.papremisealert.com POLICY CHANGE AS OF 6/1/08 All rights reserved contact Susan Rzucidlo at
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