Sam*, who has autism, ADHD, PTSD, and a developmental disability, was arrested last year after he became aggressive during a meltdown. His grandmother told officers that “he does not understand; his brain is like a five-year-old’s.” Her pleas went unheeded. That’s when I got involved in the case. I’m a disability advocate in San Antonio, Texas.
Sam was held in the general prison population. Clearly, he did not belong there. After calls to the district attorney’s office from his grandmother, Sam was released. He was nonverbal for six days. His grandmother and I filed a complaint with the San Antonio Police Department.
We wanted change. I prepared a list of recent court cases in which sheriff’s offices were sued for injury and/or murder of people with autism. Subsequent meetings followed, and other disability group advocates joined us, along with officers and the lead trainer of cadets from the Crisis Intervention Team, which supports first responders in encounters with people with disabilities.
[Download: Free Autism Evaluation Checklist]
Police Training to Better Recognize Neurodivergent People
Among our requests: We wanted police to provide more training to police officers, lessen their sensory footprint (using sirens or flashing lights only when necessary), and place fidgets and cards with visual representations of commands in their squad cars for interactions with impaired individuals. We also wanted to forge a connection between local police precincts and families with children who have ADHD and autism. If your child is nonverbal or experiences a mental health disorder, the local police officers should know who they are.
My organization, Family ADDventures, is now working with two nonprofits, Any Baby Can and Autism Community Network, to revamp training about autism and mental health conditions for all local police cadets. Family ADDventures is also working with a police training company to develop a national training program on neurodivergence for police and emergency responders.
My advice to advocates looking to make changes in their local police departments: Start by offering support. Our officers deserve to know their work is valued. Family ADDventures created a program wherein local bakeries and businesses share treats and information with officers before they start their night shift. It’s a small step toward building bridges.
Another word of advice for advocates: Understand your city’s complaint procedure and file when appropriate. If there is no movement on your complaint, read it as testimony at your county council meeting. Know how your city operates so you can show up and make noise. Timing and persistence matter.
[Download: The Truth About Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults]
Visit FamilyADDventures.com to learn more about neurodiversity training for your organization
Police Training & the Neurodivergent Community: Next Steps
*Sam is not his real name.
Nicole Santiago, M.ED., is a disability advocate with ADHD. She is the founder of Family ADDventures.
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