One in five people on the autism spectrum will have an encounter with law enforcement by the time they are 21, often due to elopement (wandering) or behaviors caused by co-occurring conditions. For a neurotypical person, flashing lights and police sirens signify safety…help is on the way! For an autistic person flashing lights and loud noises can induce a state of panic.
Sensory overload can cause violent reactions like yelling, hitting, and throwing things, which can be misinterpreted as mental illness or substance abuse. Many people with autism are also non-speaking or have communication challenges that worsen with a sensory explosion.
To prevent unwarranted restraint, sedation, and sometimes tragic outcomes, it is important for the safety of both first responders and those with autism to understand the “why” behind potentially violent reactions. Training to learn to recognize autism is the first step.
First responders should consider multiple things when dealing with a person with autism: personal space, language and intonation, sounds and lights, and patience. Here are some tips to share with first responders to de-escalate and communicate:
- Remain calm.
- Reduce stimulation- dim the lights, turn off the sirens, and allow space for unharmful stimming.
- Speak slowly and clearly using simple phrases and visual aids, and try simple communication tools like a mini-whiteboard where possible.
- Be patient, the autistic brain processes differently than the neurotypical one. Commands might not be immediately followed or understood.
- Explain your process- what are you doing and why?
