The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) has introduced a new resource to aid interactions between law enforcement officers and individuals with autism. The PSP is now distributing informational cards that can be presented by people with autism during encounters with the police.
The cards alert officers that the individual may be non-verbal, sensitive to loud noises, or hyper-sensitive to touch, and may not respond to commands or questions. Officers are advised to be patient, use a calm and direct voice, and keep their questions and commands simple.
"Behaviors associated with autism can cause barriers to effective communication. This card can be presented to reduce those barriers," said Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. "When an officer is made aware a person has autism, they can respond accordingly, resulting in a safer interaction for everyone involved."(media.pa.gov)
The cards can be printed from the Safety Resources page of the PSP's website or saved on a phone. They will also be distributed by troopers at public community events. The PSP encourages individuals with autism to present the card during interactions with any police officer, not just state troopers.