Resources
Social Stories from ASERT
Additional Resources:
- Be Safe the Movie (designed for police to properly understand autistic individuals amd interact properly with individuals.)
- Autism and Police Interactions (ASERT)
- Police Interactions – How to Keep Everyone Safer (ASERT)
- Navigating the Justice System (ASERT)
- If You Are the Victim of a Crime (Autism Society)
Interacting With Law Enforcement
- Police Safety for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (PDF, TAP of Illinois)
- ASD Disclosure Card (PDF)
- What to do during a traffic Stop (PDF, Pathfinders for Autism)
- Navigating the Justice System in Pennsylvania (ASERT)
- Justice Resource Collection (ASERT)
- Questions to Ask if an Individual with Autism is Missing (ASERT)
General Tips On Police Safety
- Presentation on Police Safety by TAP at the University of Illinois (Recording Above)
- Autism Disability Disclosure Card for Law Enforcement
Key Terms
- Law – a rule that everyone has to follow
- Safe – staying out of harm’s way, not in danger
- Danger – something that could cause a person to get hurt, a threatening or risky situation
- Police – law enforcement officer that protect people and help in emergencies
- Crime – breaking the law, you can be fined or arrested as a punishment
What Do Police Do?
- Watch out for the community, keep the peace, respond in emergencies
- Give tickets when someone breaks a law
- Solve crimes
- Arrest someone for serious crimes
When You See Police In Person…
- You may see police officers in patrol cars, on foot, or on motorcycles
- Give directions on what to do
- They can use words, gestures, or signals to let people know what to do
What Do Police Wear?
- Officers wear uniforms:
- Badge
- Handcuffs
- Duty Belt
- Gun
Who Else May Be With Police?
- Officers may be accompanied by dogs (K-9)
- Look for lost/missing person
- Search for drugs, guns, cell phones
- Help catch people who run from police
- Police tool = We can look, but we keep hands to ourselves
Tips for Interacting with Police
DO:
- Stay calm
- Stay where you are
- Just do it
DON’T:
- Don’t run
- Don’t fight
- Don’t argue
- Show your hands
- Keep your hands to yourself
- No hugging
- Keep your distance from the officer
- Ask for help if you don’t understand or don’t know
- Disclose your diagnosis*
- You can stay silent until a caregiver or advocate is with you
- You can ask for an attorney or lawyer: “I want a lawyer.”
Tips for Interacting with Police: Caregivers
- Allow the individual to be addressed
- Be clear you are there to help
- Offer up triggers and passions
- The truth is necessary
- Practice, practice, practice
- Visit your local precinct
Dustin's Dynasty 