Contact with Individuals with Autism

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,The,  April, 2001  by Dennis Debbaudt,  Darla Rothman

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Conclusion

As the American work force becomes more diverse and requires more professional law enforcement, officers in the 21st century will confront situations that demand high levels of performance and insight resulting from more comprehensive training. Dealing with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities requires officers to have additional training to handle these situations. When responding to calls for assistance involving individuals who are autistic, education, perception, and understanding can help officers avoid situations that can become unpleasant or even dangerous. Remembering the adage that no call is "routine" will help ensure that the resourceful officer will keep their composure and evaluate the sensory data or cues on the scene. This behavior will resolve the incident in the best spirit of their duty to protect the public, especially those who cannot protect themselves.

Mr. Debbaudt heads a private detective agency and trains police officers nationwide on recognizing and responding to persons with autism.

Dr. Darla Rothman is a curriculum specialist and certified instructor with the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions.

Endnotes

(1.) K. Curry, M. Posluszny, and S. Kraska, "Training Criminal Justice personnel to Recognize Offenders with Disabilities," Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services News in Print, (Winter 1993).

(2.) The Autism Society of America, http:// www.autism-socitey.org; accessed December 12, 2000.

(3.) Based on author research and survey of law enforcement agencies.

(4.) Supra note 2.

(5.) D. Debbaudt, (handout developed for the Wayne County, Michigan, Workshop Series for Trainers and Officers of Law Enforcement), September 21, 1996.

Indicators that an Individual May Be Autistic: [5]

* the individual actively may avoid eye contact even if you change your location to be in the person's line of sight;

* the individual may be nonverbal (50 percent of autistic persons do not speak) or may have limited vocabulary and point or use gestures;

* the individual may speak in monotone without expected inflections;

* the individual may repeat exactly what the officer says;

* the individual may engage in repetitive physical actions, such as hand flapping, finger flicking, or twirling objects;

* the individual may rock back and forth, pace, or engage in self-abuse (temper tantrums are an expected response to fear, confusion, or frustration as an effort to stop the stimuli);

* the individual may have a pigeon-toed gait or running style;

* the individual may not respond to verbal commands or sounds;

* the individual may not understand body language or recognize command presence, or a police uniform;

* the individual may be dressed inappropriately for the weather, such as a tee shirt and shorts in winter;

* the individual may not ask for help or show any indications of pain, even though injury seems apparent; and,

* the individual may wear medical alert tags or possess other written material indicating their autistic condition.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Federal Bureau of Investigation
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group