Autism Awareness

There’s an interesting article on Newsweek‘s website addressing the current Autism Awareness movement. Claudia Kalb‘s angle focuses on law enforcement and what they do when they encounter people with autism.

Over time, our society has improved how it treats individuals with developmental disorders and other behavioral differences. Efforts to educate law enforcement officials and teach them how to interact with autistic members of our society is another step forward. Take a look at the article to read how they’re being educated.

The article tells a story about a young autistic man who encountered police in May. Officers approached him as we waited outside a Tybee Island, Georgia restuarant. His brother was inside getting cheeseburgers. The officers arrested him for disorderly conduct, telling an area newspaper the man was “staggering back and forth” and they believed he was under the influence.

It was only after the young man was handcuffed and “bleeding with a broken tooth” that the police officers were told the man was autistic.

Law enforcement members should be allowed to do their job in order to keep up us, but a line does need to be drawn somewhere. If someone acting like the young man was is perceived as a threat, they should take proper precaution. Educating people unfamiliar with the common signs of autism is a way to help combat this sort of situation. Giving officers a checklist to comply to before taking charge will help prevent harmful treatment.

It is good our society is becoming more aware of these issues as our autistic friends, family members and loved ones are becoming more active in our communities.