LOS ANGELES – Kate Movius, founder of Autism Interaction Solutions, guided Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies through a disorienting sensory experience. Participants donned prism glasses that distorted their vision, attempted to write with their non-dominant hands, and endured sudden table pounding and flashing lights. The exercise aimed to simulate the overwhelming sensory input many individuals with autism experience, highlighting the need for law enforcement to recognize and adapt to these challenges.
"So what can you do to assist somebody, or de-escalate somebody, or get information from someone who suffers from a sensory disorder?" Movius asked the participants, who were visibly affected by the simulation. "We can minimize sensory input. That might be the difference between them being able to stay calm and them taking off."
Movius is part of a growing national movement educating law enforcement agencies on identifying behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ensuring safer interactions between officers and neurodivergent individuals. This initiative gains urgency as autism diagnoses continue to rise and troubling incidents involving individuals with autism and law enforcement persist.
Following the sensory simulation, Movius and City of Industry Mayor Cory Moss distributed toolkits designed to facilitate communication and reduce sensory distress. These kits included noise-damping headphones, whiteboards, communication cards with images and words, and fidget toys.
"The thing about autistic behavior when it comes to law enforcement is a lot of it may look suspicious, and a lot of it may feel very disrespectful," Movius explained. As the parent of a 25-year-old man with autism, she stressed the importance of officers considering neurodevelopmental differences. "Responding officers, are not coming in thinking, ‘Could this be a developmentally disabled person?’ I would love for them to have that in the back of their minds."
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and Law Enforcement Encounters
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex developmental condition characterized by variations in social interaction, communication, and sensory processing. These differences can manifest in ways that may be misinterpreted by law enforcement during stressful encounters. An individual with autism might maintain intense eye contact, avoid it altogether, repeat phrases or questions, temporarily lose the ability to speak, or flee. These are often involuntary responses to overwhelming stimuli and can be mistaken for intoxication, defiance, or guilt by officers unfamiliar with ASD.
The prevalence of autism diagnoses in the United States has seen a significant increase. Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began tracking diagnoses in 2000, autism rates have nearly quintupled. Experts attribute this surge to a combination of broadened diagnostic criteria, increased awareness, and improved identification efforts, particularly in children. Current CDC estimates indicate that approximately 1 in 31 U.S. 8-year-olds has autism, with California reporting a higher rate of approximately 1 in 22 children.
Disproportionate Encounters and Tragic Outcomes
Despite the diversity within the autistic population, individuals with ASD are more likely to have encounters with law enforcement than their neurotypical peers. While federal data does not specifically track encounters involving individuals with disabilities, a separate study found that 20% of individuals with autism aged 21 to 25 had been stopped by police, often following reports of unusual behavior. This is a notable increase compared to the approximately 15% of all individuals aged 18 to 24 in the U.S. who have been stopped by police.
These interactions have, in some instances, resulted in tragic outcomes, underscoring the critical need for improved training and understanding.
- 2021: In Los Angeles County, sheriff’s deputies shot and permanently paralyzed Isaias Cervantes, a deaf 22-year-old man with autism. His family had called 911 for assistance in transporting him to a hospital after he became distressed following a shopping trip and reportedly pushed his mother. According to a county report, Cervantes resisted as deputies attempted to handcuff him, leading to one deputy firing a weapon.
- 2024: In Apple Valley, California, San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies fatally shot 15-year-old Ryan Gainer. His family had contacted 911 seeking support for Gainer, who had become agitated. The encounter outside his home ended in tragedy.
- Previous Year: In Pocatello, Idaho, police officers shot 17-year-old Victor Perez, a non-speaking teenager, after he did not comply with shouted commands. Perez died from his injuries in April.
Historical Awareness and Persistent Training Gaps
The need for law enforcement to adapt its approach when interacting with individuals with autism has been recognized for decades. As early as 2001, the FBI published a bulletin advising officers on how to interact with individuals with autism. The bulletin cautioned officers against interpreting a lack of response to orders or questions as non-cooperation or as justification for increased force. It also highlighted the potential for individuals with autism to confess to crimes they did not commit or to respond to the last option presented in a series of choices.
Despite this early awareness, a significant training deficit persists. A review of multiple studies conducted last year by Chapman University researchers revealed that while up to 60% of law enforcement officers have responded to calls involving individuals with autism, only 5% to 40% have received any specific training on the condition.
Innovative Training Approaches and Essential Tools
In response to these critical gaps, universities, non-profit organizations, and private consultants across the U.S. are developing comprehensive curricula to equip law enforcement with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize autistic behaviors and modify their responses accordingly.
Movius emphasized that a primary objective of her training is to encourage officers to slow down interactions. She explained that many individuals with autism require additional processing time for auditory input and verbal responses, especially in unfamiliar and high-stress environments.
"If at all possible, wait 20 seconds for a response after asking a question," Movius advised the deputies. She acknowledged that this pause might feel unusually long but stressed its importance. "Every additional question or instruction fired in that time – ‘What’s your name? Did you hear me? Look at me. What’s your name?’ – just decreases the likelihood that a person struggling to process will be able to respond at all."
Mayor Cory Moss, whose son Brayden, then 17, participated in the training by sharing his written statement, highlighted the diversity of individuals with autism. Brayden, along with other teenagers and young adults with autism, provided insights through written statements, showcasing a range of communication styles and mannerisms. "This population is so diverse. It is so complicated. But if there’s anything that we can show [deputies] in here that will make them stop and think, ‘Hey, what if this is autism?’ it is saving lives," Moss stated.
The toolkits distributed at the training are designed to be practical aids. Noise-damping headphones can significantly reduce auditory overload, while whiteboards and communication cards offer alternative methods for individuals who struggle with verbal expression. Fidget toys can serve as a calming mechanism, helping to regulate sensory input and reduce anxiety.
Critiques and the Path Forward
While the intent behind these training initiatives is widely acknowledged as positive, some disability advocates express caution, arguing that isolated training sessions may not be sufficient to ensure consistently safe outcomes.
Judy Mark, co-founder and president of Disability Voices United, a non-profit organization, shared her experience. She previously trained thousands of officers on safe autism interactions but ceased her efforts after the shooting of Isaias Cervantes. Mark now advises families concerned about the safety of a child with autism to contact an ambulance instead of law enforcement.
"I have significant concern about these training sessions," Mark stated. "People get comfort from it, and the Sheriff’s Department can check the box." She suggests that while such training might provide a sense of preparedness, it does not fundamentally alter systemic issues or guarantee protection in high-stakes situations.
Despite these concerns, supporters of the training programs maintain that even brief preparation is preferable to none. They point to anecdotal evidence suggesting the positive impact of such education. Movius recounted a letter from a father whose son with profound autism, who had previously attended her training, slipped away from his family at the beach. The boy entered an unlocked police vehicle and became distressed. The officer, though surprised, was able to de-escalate the situation and help the young man reunite with his family, a testament, the father wrote, to the training he had received.
The ongoing challenge lies in translating this foundational understanding into consistent, effective, and safe interactions across all law enforcement encounters with individuals with autism. As autism rates continue to rise, the imperative for comprehensive, integrated, and sustained training remains a critical priority for public safety and the well-being of neurodivergent communities. The hope is that by fostering empathy, providing practical tools, and encouraging a shift in perspective, law enforcement can better serve and protect all members of society, including those with autism.
