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Autism and First Responders

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Autism and First Responders

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    1. Autism and First Responders Police – ambulance – firemen – others Goals: Awareness of behaviors displayed by ASD Suggestions for intervention Change perception

    2. Stephen Wiltshire At 11 years produced works from memory “Best child artist” in Britain Can look at a target and then draw and accurate picture of it

    3. London Draws what he sees

    4. Stephen Wiltshire “His sense of perspective seems faultless…”

    5. Stephen Wiltshire Often completes the picture away from the site

    6. Case Stories Oregon policeman broke the arm of an autistic individual resisting arrest – wandering in traffic Lehman is 6 feet tall and did not talk Was pinned to the grown and sprayed, broke free, ran home where he was arrested “Responsibility lies back on the group home.” Had no ways of ID

    7. Ben Loves Water! Ran off to the fountain in the mall When located, Ben refused to recognize his parents Security personnel reluctantly released Ben to his parents They had no way to verify that they were their parents

    8. Autistic Man Dies After Clash With Deputies (Perris, CA) – Raymond Lee Mitchell Was 21 Years Old –Died on July 19 – Mother Called Police for Help – Officers Attempted to Subdue Him With Their Hands – (“Noting Unusual About the Procedure”) – Previous History of Police Involvement, but Officer Calmed Him Down – but Not This Time – “No Police. I’m OK.” – Slammed the Door and Ran Into the Closet – Mother Escorted Him Out of the Closet and on to His Bed, Sent to Get a Shirt for Him – When Raymond (5-10 /240 Lbs) Reached for the Shirt Two Deputies Jumped on Him – Back up Was Called – Three More Came – All on Top of Him. There Was a Sticker on the Window Stating There Was an Autistic Individual at the Home

    9. Steve McCollum (Steals Locomotives!) Obsessed with trains/impersonator 1/3 of his life (41 years) behind bars At 15 years drove the E train to the WTC from Herald Square (NY times, 11-11-06)

    10. David 14 year old – but interests of much younger boys and girls. He likes to jump rope, play tag, and ride bikes with them. One day he could not find them. He began looking through the windows: where are they? One neighbor called the police. Arrested as a peeping tom.

    11. Charlie Was 22 and lived in a group home Allowed to take a bus and shop on his own Once he became disoriented: moans and flips his hands, with elbows tucked at his waist. Clerk thought he was having a drug reaction and called police. One of the staff members spotted Charlie and intervened. Police did not intervene

    12. Jeanette Purkis Victim of bullies High academics Could not fit Moved away after HS Sexually abused: how to stop it? ID with protest groups Influenced by a “role model” : robbery

    13. Jeanette (Cont.) Accepted by “new group”- learned to act tough (criminal culture) – DX as AS but wanted to be “cool,” not a “geek”. The outside world as confusing: missed the structure of jail (had lots of “instant friends.”) Former housemate emptied her account- evicted and “stoned” constantly- rescued by former friend – back to jail after attacking psychiatrist.

    14. Jeanette (Cont.) “While I hated prison…felt it was the only place I could be, and rules and structure were necessary for me to survive…I was released, but committed a crime just to go back…after released went to treatment center for bpd: my actions have consequences System of empathy: not do to others…

    15. Adam Is a Runner! Favorite to roam: area behind his house Walking along the centerline of the street and screaming, “want yellow, want yellow.” Officers questioned parents suggesting they were abusive or neglectful

    16. Autism Incidence 20 years ago: 1 in 2,500 people Today: 1 in 166 About 1.5 million

    17. Autism – DMS IV Criteria 1. Qualitative impairments in social interactions Use on nonverbal behaviors: eye-to-eye-gaze, body posture, gesture to regulate social interactions Failure to develop peer-appropriate development Impairments of expression of pleasure in other people’s happiness Lack of social and emotional reciprocity

    18. 2. Impairments in Communication: (One) Delay/lack of spoken language (with no attempts to communicate by other means) In individuals with adequate speech, impaired ability to initiate/sustain a conversation Stereotyped/repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language Lack of varied spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to age level

    19. Restrictive Repetitive and Stereotyped Patterns of Behavior, Interests, or Activities (One) Encompassing preoccupation with interest that is abnormal in intensity or focus Apparently compulsive adherence to to specific nonfunctional routines/rituals Stereotyped motor mannerisms Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

    20. Delays or Abnormal Functioning in at Least One of the Following Areas – Before Age of Three: Social interactions Language as used in social communications Symbolic or imaginative play

    21. Mind Reading Ability People possess beliefs, wishes, intentions that operate inside their heads. The ability to appreciate others’ intentions play a central role in understanding the world. Pragmatic aspect of Communication allows us to handle non-verbal interaction (i.e., turn taking by gaze, reading emotional states).

    22. Empathy Others have mental states (interests, beliefs) Having an emotional reaction that is appropriate to the other person’s mental state (Cohen,94) Make sense, predict, connect

    23. Recognizing Autistic Individuals May be non-verbal (50%) – echolalia – SL – pictures No response to “STOP”, may run if approached – cover ears and look away constantly May have seizure activity Toe walk, pigeon-toe gait May look as “high”, drunk or psychotic Reaction to sudden changes or sensory input: “stemming”

    24. Recognizing Autistic Individuals (Cont.) Attempt to Show ID Card, Medical Alert Jewelry, Iron-on Labels, Tattoos Not Recognize Danger or Hurt, Help-seeking Skills, or Answer Questions Not Familiar with Police, Routines, Breakdowns in Comm. Argumentative, Stubborn, “Why?” – “No!”

    25. Recognizing Autism (Cont.) Echolalia: will repeat what the officer says Difficulties with body language, facial expressions, teasing, sarcasm May be poor listener, lack of eye contact (“not caring?”) Monotonous voice with unusual pronunciation, volume

    26. Recognizing Autism (Cont.) Difficulties with personal space, may stare at you or object that attracts interest May persevere on favorite subject (bus, planes,etc) Lack of social perspective, predicting other’s reactions Very honest (sometimes too much), blunt, no tactful

    27. Suggested Responses Direct, Short Phrases Delay Responses No Figurative Language Talk Calmly/ Repeat Avoid Touch Body Language is Missed – “Not Going to Hurt You” Wait for Response/Eyes Evaluate for Injury

    28. Likely Offenses Stalking/harassment No understanding of Norms, customs, or Boundaries/clues: “I am Married, not interested”, Or facial expression (“I Have met a new friend”.)

    29. Sexual Offenses Indecent exposure, public masturbation to rape: understanding of social norms should be assessed How to hide their curiosity? “Mutual consent?”

    30. Accomplice? Involvement by friendship and acceptance Could be recruited by gang members as couriers

    31. Violent Crime Reports of physically assaulting tormenters Targets of harassment, bullying in community and schools Some acts may occur without clear apparent reason

    32. Lost and Wandering Most of them involve children They are not lost: very happy where they are No recognition of danger (pools-water!)

    33. Autism and Police Officers Contact with hidden disability in 10-20% 7 times more likely than typical peers No ID by appearance, but by behavior Underdeveloped upper trunk (restrain-asphyxiation) Abnormal range of sensations: cold/pain Directives may be not understood

    34. Police and Autism (Cont.) Weak cause-effect 50% non-verbal, and 20% when stressed 40% epilepsy More calls: early June, late august and December Attraction to water Names: ASD, GDD, PDD, PDD NOS

    35. Police and Autism (Cont.) Families ID children by bracelets, thread ID into shoe lace, belt, zipper, necklace Business card in pocket, ID tags into back of collars, temporary tattoos Communication boards, no touching

    36. Police and Autism (Cont.) Write questions if no talk Crisis interventions “What is your name, address?” – Short words, wait 3 sec & ask again Spend 10 minutes per month in SE

    37. Suggested Responses (Cont.) Medical jewelry, or tags (seizure.) Escalation? Safe distance If possible, turn off sirens, flashing lights, remove dogs SL, pictures, phrase book Suspect ASD? Segregate -professional assessment

    38. Know Your Rights To vote, marry, and work. Also, if you are arrested: need to be helped differently, police will talk slower, use simple words, and give time to think. Punish like anyone else if you did it. Otherwise tell the police, lawyer, and judge. If you are arrested the ADA can help you to understand your rights and be treated fairly.

    39. If Stopped by Police Even if you did nothing wrong: who you are Don’t be afraid – stay calm- don’t run – let the police know your disability Tell police you name, phone number, or ID card You are usually free to go after that

    40. If Arrested Police will handcuff/search you Police will tell you your rights Will ask if you understand and if you want a lawyer Will put you in police car to jail If you don’t understand ask for a lawyer – don’t need money Don’t talk to police until you have a lawyer

    41. Can Get Arrested If Hanging around one place for a long time Taking/selling drugs Drunk in public Breaking into someone’s house or business Writing checks with no money in the bank Helping to do a crime

    42. If I Go to Jail Police will search you again Police precinct: fingertip/Pic Police will empty your pockets – will give them back you you when you lave Can make one phone call (parents, friend) Lawyer talks to you to tell the judge what happened If court lets you give them bail money, you may go

    43. If I Go to Court To talk about your crime Lawyer tells your side of the story Judge asks you if you did the crime – your lawyer helps you to know what to say Judge, or a group of people decide Then you get punished or you will be free

    44. Resources Autism law enforcement coalition (ALEC) Autism and informed response – curriculum- south Carolina autism society – 229 parson St. 1A – west Columbia, SC 29169 Autism awareness video foe law enforcement – autism society of America 1-800-3-AUTISM, or contact author at ddp@flash.net Global positioning system (GPS) – digital angel corporation – 350 motor parkway, suite 207 – Hauppauge, NY 11788 1-631-951-3366

    45. Resources (Cont.) Care track (radio frequency) – 1031 autumn ridge road, Carbondale, ILL 62901 1-800-842-4537 Identifind (ID jewelry) – 5465 Dutch cove road - canton, NC 28716-0567 1-828-648-6768 Autism society of America – 7910 Woodmont Ave. Suite 300 – Bethesda, MD 20814-3067 - 1-8003-AUTISM or 1-301-657-0881

    46. Thank You!

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