Autism and the Law: When Trouble Comes Our Way

• By: Annie Kent, MA Mental Health Systemic Advocate, Educator and Freelance Writer
• July 5th, 2023
• aggression, cognitive behavioral, criminal justice system, crisis situations, de-escalation, first responder training, law enforcement, mental health, misinterpretation, Summer 2023 Issue, the law
• 1669    1

“I may have the advantage of race and gender. I may be able to stave off a meltdown for a short period. I may try my hardest to comply and be non-threatening, but I’m only ever one misunderstanding or nervous officer away from death. And it may be, in any given encounter, that there’s nothing...