Autism and the Police: Practical Advice for Officers and Other First Responders

Cops have a terrible track record when it comes to interacting with autistic folks. From misunderstanding their body language to making assumptions about their motives and profiling them as suspicious, these encounters too-often result in police violence and unsafe situations for people with autism. An autistic retired police officer wrote this guide for cops and other first responders and criminal justice system workers. Based on experience in the UK but helpful everywhere. Identify behaviors that might be autism, make better-informed decisions about how to engage with people who might be autistic, speak and listen better, and learn not to cause overwhelm, confusion, and pain. Read this in order to do your work more effectively, or as a layperson to advocate for better police training and protocols.