Autism Awareness for Law Enforcement NMLEA Accreditation: NM210019

Lesson Plan / Instructor-Student Guide

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Autism Awareness for Law Enforcement NMLEA Accreditation: NM210019

COURSE TITLE:
Autism Awareness for Law Enforcement (LE)

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:
To increase officer awareness of autism spectrum disorder and to provide skills to assist them in bringing encounters
to a successful resolution.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this block of instruction the participant will:

1. Have a basic understanding of what autism is and how it can present.

2. Be able to describe different behaviors that law enforcement may see related to
ASD.
3. Possess basic skills to identify ASD and to help de-escalate situations involving a
person with autism.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:
Classroom lecture

HANDOUTS:
None

COURSE DURATION:
2 Hours

CURRICULUM REFERENCES:
Calibre Press: Successfully Interacting with Persons with Autism
https://www.autismspeaks.org/
CDC autism resource center
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

EQUIPMENT, PERSONNEL, AND SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Computer, screen, projector

TARGET AUDIENCE:
New Mexico Law Enforcement Officers

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Autism Awareness for Law Enforcement NMLEA Accreditation: NM210019

INSTRUCTOR RATIO:
1:30

EVALUATION STRATEGY:
Class Participation

AUTHOR & ORIGINATION DATE:

Jeremy Story
2/18/2021

REVISION / REVIEW DATE(S):

What is Autism

• Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by
challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.

• We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of
genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism
has a distinct set of strengths and challenges.

• Signs of autism usually appear by age 2 or 3.

Video: Autism Spectrum Disorder Overview

ASD Statistics

Nuber of People Diagnosed with ASD:

• 2000: 1 in 150

• 2004: 1 in 125

• 2012: 1 in 88

• 2016: 1 in 69

• 2020: 1 in 54

• In 2020 the CDC estimates there are 5.5 million adults in the U.S. with autism.

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Autism Awareness for Law Enforcement NMLEA Accreditation: NM210019

• Boys are five times more likely to have ASD.

• M-CHAT screening is used now for toddler diagnoses.

• Many people with ASD suffer from co-conditions.

What are the Signs of Autism?

• Loss of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills

• Avoidance of eye contact

• Persistent preference for solitude

• Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings

• Delayed language development

• Persistent repetition of words or phrases (echolalia)

• Resistance to minor changes in routine or surroundings

• Restricted interests

• Repetitive behaviors (flapping, rocking, spinning, etc.)

• Unusual and intense reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, textures, lights and/or colors

Video: Adults with Autism

Autism and Law Enforcement

• Officers who are unaware of or are unable to recognize ASD can respond to people with this
disorder in ways that either appear unprofessional or can even be tragic.

• More likely in teens and adults with autism

• There is never a guarantee that an officer can determine someone has autism, but awareness can
increase the likelihood of the recognition of ASD.

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Autism Awareness for Law Enforcement NMLEA Accreditation: NM210019

Video: Police use Taser on Teen with Autism

Ways that ASD May Present in Law Enforcement Contacts

Autism of Failure to Comply

• Undeveloped (absent) speech, unrecognizable speech or lacking social skills

• Awkward social skills could be confused with mocking the officer or others who are present.

Avoidance of Eye Contact

• Lack of eye contact is often associated with intentional deceit.

Persistent Preference for Solitude

• Subjects with autism may seek to be away (not escape) from the officer.

• Could potentially walk away from officer(s) and toward another area to avoid the intimidating
presence of uniformed officers.

Difficulty Understanding Other People’s Feelings

• May sometimes speak in a frank manner, leaving listeners believing the subject is rude or
disrespectful.

• They can have difficulty expressing their own feelings and understanding others.

Delayed Language Development

• The person with autism may not speak at a level that is consistent with his or her age.

• Could be construed as mocking or as intellectually under-developed.

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Autism Awareness for Law Enforcement NMLEA Accreditation: NM210019

Persistent Repetitions of Words or Phrases (Echolalia)

• Repeat phrases they have heard. It can be something they just heard or something from the past.

• Occurs especially under stress

• Can be frustrating for listener

• Could be seen as a lack of compliance or intentionally not answering questions.

Video: Example of Immediate Echolalia

Resistance to Minor Changes in Routine or Surroundings

• May cling to items (pillows, blankets, etc.) that bring them comfort.

• Officers may ask or order the person with autism to place items down. The request will probably be
ignored or refused.

• Is a way for the person to calm themselves.

• Again, could be seen as a lack of compliance.

Repetitive Behaviors (Flapping, Rocking, Spinning, etc.)

• Officer seeing this behavior may view it as building tension toward the officer or others.

• It is a calming mechanism.

• Includes STIMMING behavior.

• Stimming is self-stimulating behaviors, usually involving repetitive movements or sounds.

Video: Autism Dad- Examples of Stimming

Video: Police Interaction with Teen Stimming

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Autism Awareness for Law Enforcement NMLEA Accreditation: NM210019

Unusual and Intense Reaction to Sounds, Smells, Textures, Lights and/or Colors

• Officer responding to scenes bring many of these with them to the scene.

• People with ASD can potentially become over-stimulated with the lights and noise.

Video: Full Video of Police Interaction with Teen Stimming

De-Escalating Person with Autism

• The first step is to recognize the signs!

• A person with autism may not be able to tell you that they are becoming overwhelmed,
anxious, or upset.

• You may see outward signs such as:

• Sensory avoidance (hands on ears, closing eyes, retreating somewhere.

• Sensory seeking behavior (bumping into furniture, getting into a small/tight space).

• An increase in repetitive behaviors such as touching the same objects over & over.

• Bolting or running away.

• Withdrawing, not engaging.

• An increase in stimming behavior such as fast, intense rocking, pacing, self-talk, hair
twirling, hand flapping.

• Increased echolalia

• Self-injurious behaviors like head banging, skin pinching or picking.

• Use a calm, patient approach

• Speak in a low & calming voice

• Avoid threatening language that can increase the tension in the individual.

• Allow the individual to use sensory items:

• Fidget spinner

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Autism Awareness for Law Enforcement NMLEA Accreditation: NM210019

• Squeeze ball

• Tangle toy

When Possible, Take Your Time

• Take a breath

• Look for the signs of autism

• Listen to what the individual or family may be saying about the behavior.

• Use distance to your advantage and give them space.

• Closing distance can increase the stress for the person.

• Standing over them can be seen as aggression.

• If available and safe, let family or friends to help calm them.

If an Arrest Must be Made, Slow Down

• Persons with autism do not process consequences the same as some people.

• Explain the steps in a calm manner.

• Unless there is an immediate threat, take your time.

• Talk them through the process.

• Reassure the person during each step, all the way to the jail.

The Future- Autism and Law Enforcement

• The number of persons diagnosed with autism is on the rise.

• Understanding persons with autism may help reduce or avoid misunderstandings about a person’s
behavior.

• Recognizing the signs of ASD early in a call for service will allow the officer(s) to alter their
approach in an effort to successfully resolve the incident.

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Autism Awareness for Law Enforcement NMLEA Accreditation: NM210019

Video: Officer with Non-Verbal Boy with Autism

Video: Transit Officer Helps Boy with Autism

Conclusion:

Officer will increasingly deal with persons with autism. Awareness of the disorder, potential signs &
symptoms, and de-escalation strategies will increase the chance of a successful resolution.