Think Before You Act

Did anyone follow the story of the young, autistic sixteen-year-old who experienced an epileptic seizure in a restaurant in Fresno, California? When 911 was called, police officers came as first responders and handcuffed him.  The officers tried to shove him into the backseat of a police car while he vomited. His mother kept yelling that he was autistic and epileptic. Not until she presented papers showing his condition did he receive help from the EMS. The teen is in the hospital with physical injuries and is mentally traumatized over the experience. 

A mother with a child who is fragile and vulnerable is apprehensive of bullies and mentally prepares herself for confrontation. In this case, the bullying was perpetrated by law enforcement– the people we usually tell our at-risk child to trust. As parents of children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) or mental disabilities, when there is a mistake, we must call it out every time. Every misstep invites a setback for the person involved: more anxiety, fear, and distrust.

More training and education are needed to instill in law enforcement personnel that there is a better way to assist young adults with autism and mental disabilities. Training must begin at the police academies and continue with in-service training throughout their careers.  These young adults are commonly the victims of criminal activity, may roam away from home, or be mistaken as someone acting strangely in the community.

Compassion, empathy, intelligence and common sense must prevail!