Utah Law Enforcement and Understanding Kids with Autism

There was some recent law enforcement training concerning how officers can deal with kids who have autism and autism spectrum disorders.

What is Autism?

These disorders can be characterized in a variety of degrees; particular symptoms may include difficulties in: social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.

Autism spectrum disorder may also include intellectual disability, motor coordination difficulties and attention and physical health issues. Autism is more prevalent in boys than in girls and about 1 in 188 kids in the United States are on the autism spectrum.

Why Law Enforcement Needs to Know About Autism Symptoms

The point of the training was to help law enforcement officials understand some of the ins and outs of autism in order to help them better deal with youth they come in contact with in the field. It was pointed out that the skills you use with one autistic person may not work with the next autistic person you meet.

Autistic kids can suffer from sensory input issues, so it can be helpful for officers to turn off their lights and sirens. Using basic, literal language can be helpful too, as can avoiding using lots of hand gestures. When police officers have a more complete understanding of disorders like autism, they can hopefully deal more effectively with situations involving autistic kids.

Contact a Utah Juvenile Defense Attorney

If you have a child in the juvenile legal system, talk to an experienced Utah juvenile defense attorney today. Any child with legal troubles can benefit from the services of an attorney.