1. How will I recognize a person with autism? 
 
 





 
 
 
 The answer depends upon the degree of severity an individual 
 is affected within the broad spectrum of the disorder. Further, 
 it depends upon whether an individual is affected by disorders 
 or disease other than autism.
 
 a) You may encounter, or have encountered, someone with autism
 and be unable to detect any immediately visible 
 characteristics. The individual, or someone familiar 
 with the individual, would have to make you aware.
 
 b) You may recognize one or more of the behavioral 
 characteristics described in our presentation material.
 i) Non-verbal, limited range of speech, echolalic 
 speech, rambling speech, non-focused speech et al
 ii) unusual or repetitive physical actions
 iii)  difficulty in expressing needs, may use gestures
 iv) Spins objects or self, rocks, paces or exhibits 
 other nervous like behaviors
 v) inappropriate response, no response to sound or
 verbal communication 
 
 c) By information on file with 911 facility if individual has 
 been registered through a program established by our Autism
 Society Chapter.
 
 





 
 
 
2. Where will I come in contact with a person with autism? 
 
 





 
 
 
 a) anywhere within the community and in the same circumstances
 as someone not affected by the disorder.
 
 b) at family home
 
 c) in residential facilities operated for the care of persons
 unable to fully care for themselves
 
 d) respite facilities (such as those operated by MHMR)
 
 e) in public or private schools, including being transported 
 to and from school.
 
 f) in supervised, or unsupervised, workplaces.
 
 
 





 
 
 
3. When will I come in contact with a person with autism?
 
 





 
 
 
 a) under the same circumstances as anyone in the general public.
 
 b) in response to a medical emergency involving the individual 
 or a person providing care of the individual.
 
 c) in response to a call for assistance i.e. a person has 
 become escalated (tantrum like behavior), self-abusive or 
 aggressive; a person is in an unfamiliar place & is not 
 recognized by anyone.
 
 d) in a situation under which a child or an adult has either 
 ran away or has become lost.
 
 e) in response to a situation in which a care provider’s actions
 are misinterpreted as being other than an attempt to bring an
 individual with autism under control.
 
 





 
 
 
4. What should I do?
 
 





 
 
 
 a) Are persons with autism possessed with unusual strength?
 
 i) Not any different than one not affected by autism. 
 If a person has athletic interests and abilities, 
 they may exercise vigorously and obtain additional 
 strength.
 
 ii) It is perhaps more common they will have gross or 
 fine motor deficits that will inhibit their physical
 ability.
 
 iii) In more severe cases, an individual may have a 
 lifestyle more sedentary than normal which will
 inhibit physical strength.
 
 iv) As with anyone in the general population, adrenaline
 may increase the normal abilities when the person 
 becomes fearful or is responding to a crisis 
 situation. 
 
 b) Will a non-verbal person have receptive language skills.
 
 i) Most commonly, yes. There may be a response delay 
 due to processing difficulties. Processing problems
 may be exacerbated by stress in which case the least
 amount of communication may be the best solution. 
 When possible use visual cues with verbal commands
 e.g. "stop" accompanied by a hand gesture.
 
 c) Is specialized training required?
 i) Training and experience is obviously important. In 
 their absence, the key point is an understanding 
 of the disorder and the effects it may have on 
 social and communication behaviors of individuals 
 with autism. In general, it is recommended you 
 rely on your police training of maintaining your 
 composure while assessing the overall situation. 
 In particular, maintain a calm exterior presence. 
 A person with autism will be more likely to react 
 in the same manner as those around them (if others 
 escalate, they will further escalate). Noise or 
 movement can increase the escalated behavior, it 
 is best the area be cleared of bystanders to allow 
 the individual with autism to calm down.
 
 ii) If at all possible, contact someone familiar with 
 the individual to gain particular insights in the 
 best means of allowing them to calm themselves.
 
 d) Should I consider autism a mental disease?
 
 i) Emphatically no! Autism was initially misdiagnosed 
 and treated as a mental disease or a psychological 
 disorder thought be to be brought upon by parental 
 neglect or abuse. Autism is a broad spectrum 
 neurological disorder. 
 
 





 
 
 
5. What should I do if I suspect someone has autism or autistic like 
 behaviors?
 
 





 
 
 
 a) Advise the family or care providers, if appropriate, 
 information and assessments are available. The Autism 
 Society of America, the Autism Society of Collin County 
 or other local chapters, Mental Health and Mental 
 Retardation (MHMR), local schools and other service 
 organizations can assist with referrals.
 
 





 
 
 
6. Others:
 
 





 
 
 
 a) What is the cause of autism?
 
 i) There is no readily available answer. The increase 
 in number of diagnoses have prompted an increase in 
 research activity but to date there is no consensus 
 of opinion as to the cause or causes. There is some 
 evidence of it being a genetic disorder while other 
 sources of brain injury are suspected e.g. chemical 
 or biochemical toxicity, allergic reaction, exposure
 to certain viruses. 
 
 b) Is autism a mental disease?
 
 i) No, but persons with autism may have, or may develop, 
 a mental disease just the same as anyone in the 
 general population.
 
 c) Is autism a curable disorder?
 
 i) No. It is a lifelong disorder. The effects are 
 minimized through education and training. Medication
 and other medical treatment are beneficial in some 
 instances. Early diagnosis and appropriate 
 intervention is extremely critical.
 
 
 
For More Information, 
Please Contact: ASCC - Autism Society of Collin County 
 4909 West Park Boulevard, Suite 108
 Plano, TX 75093 
 
 Voice Mail 214/925-2722 
  Fax 972/379-3787 
 

Other sources of information for our Police Officers

(PS: I Thank God for the work that you do)

Avoiding Unfortunate Situations

---

Go back to the home page for ASCC

---