Given the jittery state of the world after recent terrorist attacks in Brussels, there could be no better time for law enforcement to gain a deeper understanding and awareness of autism. Over the past five years, Trish Ieraci developed the “Four Step Autism Awareness Program,” to introduce law enforcement and young people on the spectrum to each other. In step one, Ieraci conducts autism awareness training with law enforcement, including tips on how to recognize, interact with, and react to individuals on the autism spectrum. Step two is a “meet and greet” event where autism parents and police officers are introduced to each other and exchange valuable information. Law enforcement officers answer questions like “What information or papers should parents and their kids carry?” Answer: an autism ID card, emergency contact, medications, and what to do help kids calm down. Next during the meet and greet, parents educate officers about what provokes meltdowns in our kids and how to ease their anxiety, instead of accidentally increasing it.  Step three involves setting up tours of the police department, allowing small groups of families to meet law enforcement personnel and see police cars up close, while visiting under calm, controlled circumstances. In the fourth and final step, a training session, called “Be Safe,” is offered by Ieraci’s associate, Emily Iland. At this point, the autism community and law enforcement are brought together to discuss skills such as following instructions and the right to remain silent. The goal of this training program is to give local law enforcement the chance to work together with people on the spectrum and improve their understanding of each other.

Equally important is for parents to teach their children with ASDs how to deal appropriately with authority figures.  While most parents work long and hard on teaching their kids with autism to be polite and respectful to teachers, doctors, salespeople and other adults encountered in day-to-day life, we often skip explanations about the police, customs agents and airport security—until it’s too late.  I have had several near-misses with my daughter Sarah. Explaining to my explosive 10 year old why she could not bring her knitting needles on the airplane after 9/11, when security personnel removed them from her carry-on was EXTREMELY stressful. If I hadn’t contained her meltdown and explained her disability quickly and politely to airport personnel, our family wouldn’t have been allowed to board the plane for a much-needed vacation.

More recently—not long after the ISIS attacks in Paris—Sarah, now 25, had gone to an 11 PM movie in Time Square with two friends.  After leaving her boyfriend’s apartment, my daughter carried her heavy overnight bag into the theater. While Sarah’s pals went to buy popcorn, my daughter decided to visit the restroom, leaving her overnight bag on the seat. When a security guard informed her that she could not leave her bag unattended, my daughter rudely replied that “it was none of his business” (!) because she did not understand this security rule. That time Sarah was lucky. The security guard forced her and her friends to leave the theater, but no other action was taken.

I worry about what might happen when Sarah and her posse run into another authority figure. What if law enforcement gets angry at her for being disrespectful? What if an argument escalates? After learning of the movie ejection from her friend’s parent, I told Sarah—no matter what—she must always be polite to policemen, security guards and others who are just doing their jobs, enforcing rules to keep everyone safe. Even though Sarah still doesn’t really understand terrorism and ISIS—who does?—years of ABA have taught her to see the necessity of making the right choices. Either follow the rules—like them or not— and be polite to police officers and other authority figures, or  end up “in big trouble,” and maybe go to jail.  I also suggested that she and her friends avoid Time Square late at night and see movies in safer neighborhoods. While Sarah promised to follow my advice, I know my guidelines will never be fool-proof. If she’s in a slightly different situation with some other rule I haven’t yet thought to explain, or if she meets an unfamiliar authority figure in a different setting—maybe someone who’s tired or having a bad day— the results could be catastrophic.

Sarah’s not alone with this issue. Individuals on the autistic spectrum are seven times more likely to have an interaction with someone in law enforcement.  According to Ieraci, her son had already been both a victim and a witness before his 18^th birthday.  John Robison, well known Aspie author, wrote about the terrible legal ordeal he and his son (who also has Asperger’s) endured for over a year in Raising Cubby. Robison’s son, a high-school kid teaching himself advanced chemistry and experimenting with explosives, was accused of terrorism and ended up on trial, with over $100,000 in legal fees before being cleared of any wrongdoing.

It’s hard enough raising children on the autistic spectrum.  As ASD kids approach adulthood, parents need to believe our teenagers and young adults will come home safely.  While we must shoulder our fair share of responsibility for teaching ASD kids to respect and obey authority figures, we can’t do it alone.  I’m hoping more parents and communities will embrace the Four Step Autism Awareness program outlined by Ieraci and contact her at trish_ieraci@prayinwesternmd.org.  With greater awareness and understanding, we can all sleep better.