Autism, Advocates, and Law Enforcement Professionals: Recognizing and Reducing Risk Situations for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Individuals with developmental disorders are seven times more likely than other people to come into contact with police and their responses to encounters with the law may not always be socially appropriate. How can the needs and responses of people with autism spectrum disorders be reconciled with the duties of the police to serve and protect the community? In this book, private investigator and autism advocate Dennis Debbaudt provides essential information for both groups. He explains how typical manifestations of autism spectrum disorders, such as running away, unsteadiness, impulsive behavior or failure to respond, may be misunderstood by law enforcement professionals, with serious consequences. For individuals with ASDs, he offers advice on how to behave in encounters with police and other law enforcement professionals. Aimed at raising awareness and facilitating communication between people with autism and law enforcement professionals, this much-needed book will be a valuable resource for both communities.

Dennis Debbaudt is a licensed private investigator and the owner of Debbaudt Detective Agency. As an autism advocate, he has authored the booklet Avoiding Unfortunate Situations (1994), articles for the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, and newsletters of the Autism Society of America, Autism-Europe and TASH among other advocacy organizations, and presented information to law enforcement professionals and advocacy organizations in the U.S., Canada and United Kingdom. He's been involved in the development of Maryland's Police and Correctional Training Commissions autism curriculum, an award-winning training video and numerous grass roots training projects. His 18-year-old son, Kelly, has autism.