The Importance of Autism Training in Law Enforcement
By Stephanie Cooper
My 17 year old autistic son may not be “cute” anymore to others but, he will always be cute to me
My son’s behaviors such as flapping his hands and arms, jumping up and down, spinning in circles, or pacing back and forth are no longer perceived by others, especially law enforcement, as “cute.” They can easily be misinterpreted by the law enforcement as signs of being on drugs or drunk.
We are taught from a young age that in an emergency, we should contact emergency services. But what happens if that emergency involves my autistic child?
As parents, we have to immediately ask ourselves: Who will the responding officer be? Will they have any knowledge or understanding of autism?
If there is an emergency at my house and my son is having a meltdown, will the officer who shows up know how to help de-escalate the situation, or will they escalate it and make things worse?
What if my son is lost and sees an officer, and he runs towards that officer because I’ve always taught my son that police officers are there to help? Will that officer perceive him as a threat?
What if an officer is out on patrol and sees my 17-year-old son playing in the park, flapping his hands and arms, spinning around in circles, and talking to himself? Will the officer assume the worst and think he’s drunk or on drugs and try to arrest him?
Most parents will never think this way but, as both a former law enforcement officer and a parent of 2 children on the autism spectrum, I carry a unique perspective. Over the last 15 years, I’ve trained and instructed over 6,000 officers throughout the United States on autism awareness, and how to effectively approach, interact with, and compassionately engage with individuals on the autism spectrum.
And as a former law enforcement officer, I understand the importance of making split-second decisions, but ever since my children were diagnosed, I’ve often reflected on how I handled certain situations while working for the sheriff’s office. I now wonder, for instance, if a person’s lack of response to my directive was due to an inability to comply or if they may have been on the autism spectrum. This is why recognizing and understanding the different behaviors and characteristics of individuals on the autism spectrum is vital because what might seem like defiance or non-compliance could actually be a communication barrier or an overwhelming sensory experience.
But given all of my experience, I’ve come to an important realization, and I can say without hesitation that I would never contact emergency services for help if my son were having a meltdown at home. Why? Because as much as I respect and understand the role of being a law enforcement officer, I cannot say with 100% certainty that the officer responding will know anything about autism or might already have a predetermined mindset about how to handle the situation, potentially escalating the situation instead of de-escalating it.
To this day and across various countries, we have seen instances where law enforcement has misinterpreted the behaviors and characteristics of individuals on the autism spectrum, often with negative consequences, particularly in high-stress situations.
This is why Autism Training for law enforcement and first responders is more vital than ever. Proper training helps them recognize and understand the behaviors and characteristics of individuals on the autism spectrum, ensuring positive interactions and the safety of both the individual and the responders.
We must ensure that 100% all officers and first responders are trained on how to interact with and approach individuals on the autism spectrum, so they are fully prepared for any situation involving someone on the spectrum
That’s why I will continue my autism training for every officer and first responder around the world.
