Basics Autism Information Every Police Officer Needs to Know

[srz]

This is the final revision of this document. I wanted to share it here. It is available at www.asaphilly.org Feel free to copy and distribute

srz

Basic Autism Information that Every Police Officer should know:

* When an autistic child or adult becomes missing from their family or caregivers it must be considered a priority in the handling of the investigation. 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.

*An individual with autism may not 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, and the fact that they're scared is the only thing they're aware of -- 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

*Officers need to remember to use their Silent No More communication boards 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 will 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 are 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 asks 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 they are nonverbal or appear 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.

* There are certain times of the year that officers will be more likely to receive calls from our families. That would be early June, late August and the end of December. This is because of the special education school calendar. These times are traditional breaks in programming, even in residential schools. Many residential schools CLOSE for breaks. Children who have been placed in residential settings do come home and the family may or may not be able to handle the situation. Some will have been placed due to behaviors that put themselves or others at risk. Another time is during summer camp season. There are new people, a new setting, and less structure. These individuals thrive on routine. Any change in routine can cause behaviors to erupt.



Information compiled from multiple sources for the Greater Philadelphia Area Chapter of the Autism Society of America. More information can be found at www.asaphilly.org
COPY AT WILL

[Michelles]

Very useful information!


Thank you and I will pass it on to our station here.

[P01IC3M4N]

that's too long to read. we get 8 hours every two years on dealing with the mentally ill people. i'm sure a lot of that was covered.

[srz]

It's two sides of one piece of paper. Autism is different from mental illness. There was a huge increase in the incidence of autism starting in 1990. In 1985 the rate was 1 in 10,000 today it is 1 in 166. These children who were dxed then are becoming adolescents and they ARE in your community. If you don't take the time to learn about autism and know how to safely interact you are leaving yourself and your department open for lawsuits. That's just a fact. This is a gift to officers. Use it or not. your choice. One day you may wish you had read it.

srz

[srz]

Glad you liked it. Please share it freely.

srz

[May'aki]

that's too long to read. we get 8 hours every two years on dealing with the mentally ill people. i'm sure a lot of that was covered.

a mother of a child who has autism.... he isnt mentally ill.....and im sure the 5 mimutes it took me to read that is somehting u could fit into your day..

and im sure ALOT of what is in this paper isnt covered in your 8hour session every two years.

[Nole795]

srz,

Thanks for the information, I recall one time my squad conducted a traffic stop and arrest on the driver who had just came from a drug house. There was a 20 Year Old female in the backseat. She got out of the car despite us ordering her to stay inside, then she suddenly lashed out at a female officer. Myself and two other officer put her to the ground and handcuffed her. She started to talk in a garbled tongue. It was then that the arrested driver advised us that she was autistic. I never would have known from her appearance. An ambulance came and took her to the hospital to a safe room until her parents came to pick her up. I learned that when she got excited, she would lash out at the smallest person which is why she charged the female officer. She was just scared and confused.

The driver was suppose to be her nanny, but she had a crack cocaine problem and took the girl to go on a drug deal. Given the situation that happened, we were justified in using the appropiate force necessary, but I admit we all felt terrible when we realized her condition.

Thanks again

[srz]

Absolutely. This is what I tell families. There are situations where what your child or adult with autism does that is going to get him/her put on the ground in handcuffs. The first thing an officer needs to do is bring the situation or person under control. Families are often in the position of needing to restrain their family member. BUT what you did by sending her to a safe room in a hospital is EXACTLY what I would have hoped for. What would have been a bad move would have sent her off to a holding tank with a general population even after knowing the dx.

You did exactly the right thing.

You know with the work I've been doing with police departments all around our area and a neighboring state I've discovered your secret. I know why officers wear metal badges over their hearts. Because you have great big marshmallow hearts under that hard metal cover.

srz

[CopFan123]

a mother of a child who has autism.... he isnt mentally ill.....and im sure the 5 mimutes it took me to read that is somehting u could fit into your day..

and im sure ALOT of what is in this paper isnt covered in your 8hour session every two years.

Ditto

[Nate#2]

I'm autistic. NOt lke others, but I do act a little different. I can probably help you out.

[Star]

Having autism does not necessarily mean that one will have mental retardation or mental illness. Autism occurs at all IQ levels, from genius levels to the severely learning-disabled.

There is a distinction between autism and mental retardation. People with mental retardation generally show even skill development, whereas individuals with autism typically show uneven skill development. Individuals with autism may be very good at certain skills, such as music or mathematical calculation, yet perform poorly in other areas, especially social communication and social interaction. Some people believe Einstein had autism.

There is a big difference in Autism and mental illness. Reading something like this only increases awareness and can most certainly help a Police Officer.

Thanks, Srz. I'll copy this and pass it around my office. There is very little about this in our mandatory retraining courses. I'm going to fax a copy over to the Academy, as well.

[mr_chuck]

Great post.....saved and printed. Being a in a school, I have to deal with a LOT of Special Education kids, many being autistic! THANKS!!

[CopFan123]

Having autism does not necessarily mean that one will have mental retardation or mental illness. Autism occurs at all IQ levels, from genius levels to the severely learning-disabled.

There is a distinction between autism and mental retardation. People with mental retardation generally show even skill development, whereas individuals with autism typically show uneven skill development. Individuals with autism may be very good at certain skills, such as music or mathematical calculation, yet perform poorly in other areas, especially social communication and social interaction. Some people believe Einstein had autism.

There is a big difference in Autism and mental illness. Reading something like this only increases awareness and can most certainly help a Police Officer.

Thanks, Srz. I'll copy this and pass it around my office. There is very little about this in our mandatory retraining courses. I'm going to fax a copy over to the Academy, as well.

I just wanted to say being a mom of an autistic child or even a teacher,etc etc of one can be quite confusing.From my own personal experience,I have been mystified confused,aggravated,& well you can figure the other words to describe.Anyway,my son is 10 & it has been very confusing for all because I believe it is a fairly new diagnosis. I have tried to delve into mental health as well as emotional & behavoiral health to try to help my son, along with all the docs & professionals.I guess it's just hard to diagnosis sometimes. My son has gotten every label from O.D.D.,A.D.D.,A.D.H.D.,mental retardation,etc. etc. ( none of which were true),we've been through numerous psycho analysts,psychiatrists, etc etc etc.
Against, my better wishes, he was put on medication for awhile.His I.Q.'s scores were astronomical though.After all of this finally, a teacher mentioned Autism to me,& I'll spare you the details but we found out that was his problem. He does the most phenomenally advanced things for his age( at 3 he was taking radios apart & rebuilding them & putting them back together right) but also, some of the most bizarre,things.For example, he has no concept of danger or consequences,we've had 3 house fires he's stabbed me etc etc.Anyway, it's been very bewildering,I found personally, for me, the best way to help him compensate & cope in life,with his peers has been a combination of stability, ( he can't handle change or trauma !!!),behavoir modifications, environment,discipline,& lots of love.I read a post not long ago,about spanking the child's bottom, which is a good point,it was on different subject, but I agreed & applying it to this I personally found I felt sorry for my son & he played on that & ran over me,this isn't the case no more.I also,, now explain things in multicolor for him, & remind him constantly that he is loved.Any child can be taught.There is a big difference between a mental disorder & autism, but also, other factors play a role in it,as well as how you handle it.We do not have those kinds of problems much anymore.He is a honor role student, goes to a regular public school.I've tried to teach him to trust people as a whole, & police officers are his friends as long as he is in the right, if not he must remain calm, while they find out what is going on( unfortunately I haved to admit, I 've had my run ins with officers & he's seen this, one went to my child & was very aggitated when my son was behaving so bizarrely to him & wouldn't cooperate I tried to explain but I don't think the officer was listening to me anyway, I think he just wasn't familiar with autism), he isn't terrified of them anymore.And he is not on meds, not institutionalized like they told me was a necessity, we still have our problems but they are minor now.Anyway, my point in all this, is basically just to tell a personal account,of my child's autism, & how I found a good way to deal with it. I know it must be frustrating ( maybe even a lil scary)to be an officer & almost try to guess or read into situations, & I appreciate the posts to try to make people more aware of it. Please excuse my grammatical errors. LOL