High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorde

  

SPECTRUM DISORDER (INCLUDING

“ASPERGER’S SYNDROME”) AND

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Michael Potts, Ph.D.

  Professor of Philosophy Methodist University 5400 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311-1498

  PHONE: (910) 630-7072 FAX: (910) 630-7679 E-MAIL:r

  For Presentation at the 50 ^th Annual Meeting Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Dallas, Texas March 22, 2013

• Introduction • Definitions
• – Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• – Asperger’s Syndrome – High-Functioning Autism-Spectrum Disorder (HF- ASD)
>Traits of police culture that can affect interactions with HF-ASD individuals

• • What law enforcement officers need to know

• What HF-ASD individuals need to know
• Conclusion

Introduction: Why all the Fuss?

  Adam Lanza Stephon Watts Autism Spectrum Disorder (DSM-V Proposal)

  

Asperger’s Syndrome (DSM-

  

IV)

• Impairment of social behavior
• Restricted, repetitive, stereotypical actions and behavior
• Clinically significant impairment…etc.
• No clinically

  significant delay in language or cognitive development.

Why the Omission of Asperger’s Syndrome from DSM-V?

• Autism is a spectrum disorder
• Need for diagnostic consistency—HF-ASD could not practically be distinguished from Asperger’s Syndrome • New criteria does not invalidate DSM-IV- based diagnoses

  What Law Enforcement Officers Should

Know (1) HF-ASD (Including AS) and Crime

• “Adam Lanza Effect”
• HF-ASD crimes
• – Some due to inappropriate interests
• – Lack of empathy
• – Naivetee

  Gary McKinnon

• – Frustration and anger
• Typical crimes

  (2) Police Cultural Traits that can Affect

Interactions with HF-ASD Individuals

• Authoritarianism
• – Conventionalism – Aggressiveness – Being unreflective
>Legalism • “Us vs. Them”
• Cynicism • Tunnel Vision

  (3) Co-Morbidies and HF- ASD

• Anxiety • Depression • Bipolar Disorder • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder • Oppositional Defiant Disorder • Some HF-ASD people are schizophrenic

  

Potential Trouble-Spots when a

Law Enforcement Officer Confronts

a Person with HF-ASD (1)

• “Normal” appearance may be deceiving
• Negative reaction to being startled
• May be oblivious when first confronted
• Emotionally unexpressive tone
• “Special interest” can deceive an

  officer (e.g., playground equipment)

  Potential Trouble-Spots when a Law Enforcement Officer Confronts a

Person with HF-ASD (2)

• Avoids eye contact
• Seems nervous, clumsy, sudden movements
• Takes word meanings literally (“Freeze!”)
• May react in a hostile manner to being touched

  

  

Potential Trouble-Spots when a Law

Enforcement Officer Confronts a Person with

HF-ASD (3)

• Tends to repeat him or herself
• Lacks tact
• May come across as disrespectful

  st [my “calendar” incident, 1 grade]

• • More severe HF-ASD individuals may

  not know why they are in trouble

  

Potential Trouble-Spots when a

Law Enforcement Officer Confronts

a Person with HF-ASD (4)

• Police officer “another bully”
• Low pain/stimulation threshold [my HGSR incident]
• May have “meltdown” due to excessive stimulation
• Be careful to avoid positional asphyxia

  Interrogation Problems

• Literalism—may not understand figurative language
• May admit something just to end the overstimulation of an interrogation
• Meltdown if too much pressure asserted

  Practical Advice for Officers

(1)

• Know the signs of ASD and HF-ASD
• Avoid excessive cynicism—not everyone is a criminal
• If an officer thinks a person has HF-ASD, the officer should use clear, literal commands
• Remember: oddness is not a crime (Potter Stewart USSC opinion)

  Bob Dylan

Practical Advice for Officers (2)

• Approach the HF-ASD person slowly
• Any ASD person may have problems understanding a perspective other than their own—”mind-blindedness.”
• Touch the HF-ASD person only if absolutely necessary
• Avoid hostile words or behavior (control aggressiveness)
• Patience is a virtue—give the HF-ASD person plenty of time to answer questions

  

Practical Advice for Officers

(3)

• Realize that the HF-

  ASD person can sound rude or disrespectful without meaning to

• Be careful to behave in a calm, measured way to avoid triggering a meltdown
• If a meltdown takes place, use as little force (and touch) as possible

What the HF-ASD Person Should Know (1)

• Remain calm when approached by a law enforcement officer
• If you were initially oblivious to the officer’s presence, apologize and explain HF-ASD’s effect.
• Obey all police commands
• Be respectful
• Avoid incriminating statements

What the HF-ASD Person Should Know (2)

• Inform the officer that you have mild autism or Asperger’s Syndrome • Carry an identifying card or ID
• If a bad officer uses excessive force, do not fight back
• Let an officer know if you can’t breathe due to being held down.

  What the HF-ASD Person Should Know (3)

• Realize the officer may not be interested in talking about a HF- ASD person’s “special interest”
• If arrested, do not answer police questions without

  Ozem Goldwire an attorney who has experience with ASD persons.

  

BIBLIOGRAPHY (1)

Allen, David; Evans, Carys; Hider, Andrew; Hawkins, Sarah; Peckett, Helen; and Morgan, Hugh (2008). Offending behavior in adults with Asperger Syndrome.

  , 748-758.

  Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 38 Attwood. Tony (2007). The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome . London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

  Barry-Walsh, Justin B. and Mullen, Paul E. (2003). Forensic aspects of Asperger’s Syndrome. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology Bolton, Michael J. and Bolton, Heather A. (2008). Police and Asperger Syndrome: The invisible autistic spectrum disorder. Law Enforcement Executive Forum 8:2 , 1-

  Debbaudt, Dennis (2002).

  Autism, Advocates, and Law Enforcement Professionals: Recognizing and Reducing Risk Situations for People with Autism Spectrum . London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

  Disorders

  

BIBLIOGRAPHY (2)

Mazzone, Luigi; Ruta, Lillana; and Reale, Laura (2012). Psychiatric comorbidities

in asperger syndrome and high functioning autism: Diagnostic challenges.

  Annals of General Psychiatry 11:16, at: . Accessed March 15, 2013.

Segar, Marc. (n.d.). Coping: A Survival Guide for People with Asperger Syndrome.

  At: www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/alistair/survival/survival.pdf. Accessed May 29, 2012.

  Spolter, Loring H. (2012). ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Autism can get you arrested. At: .

  Accessed May 29, 2012.

Taylor, Kimberly; Mesibov, Gary; Debbault, Dennis; Kaim, Nomi (2009). Asperger

syndrome in the criminal justice system. Asperger’s Association of New

  England, at: . Accessed May 29, 2012. Unumb, Lorri Shealy and Unumb, Daniel R. (2011).

  Autism and the Law: Cases, Statutes, and Materials. Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press.