I lived for 23 years with no idea of the condition I had in my brain. That condition was Asperger’s Syndrome. I battled through my life with a number of separate psychiatric labels, each representing only small parts of my difficulties: Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, Depression... you get the gist. To be given the label of Asperger’s eased my inner conflict massively; I finally had an umbrella term where all these difficulties could make sense.

It is fair to say that my ‘special interests’ are centred more on people than things. One of the ways I have learnt to cope with my impairments is to monitor others around me, and learn how to ‘fit in’ through imitation. As I have gotten older this has moved into the more complex realm of Psychology, and understanding why people behave the way they do. I figured people are no different really to learning how to use a computer; we all have inputs and outputs. I tackle my own thoughts, feelings and behaviours with the same sort of obsessive rigour as scientists trying to find a particular vaccine in the midst of a pandemic, which is how I ended up doing a PhD studying autism in females.

I wanted to know if I was alone, why it took me so long to get a diagnosis, and how I had managed to adapt so well socially despite my impairments. What I have learnt so far is that there are hundreds of females out there in the same position as me, all wonderfully unique and kind human beings with bucket loads of empathy; not what the media teaches us autistic individuals look like! It can be tiring being so personally invested in the research that I am doing, it feels like I cannot get away from autism; at work, at home, it is present in everything I do and think. It also requires a certain amount of stepping back and objectivity, a skill I am perhaps yet to master fully. The condition lends itself to quite an egocentric perspective, so I am having to consciously think ‘can I really speak for everyone here?’ and learn about the different experiences other people with autism have had.

Whilst the majority of feedback I have received from the work has been positive, it appears you cannot become too big on the internet before trolls start attacking you, which has been the hardest hurdle to face (including all the research ethics forms I have had to fill in!). Being told by people who do not know you and have only read an article that you are a fraud and cannot possibly have the condition hurts, especially when you came to the club quite late and have lived with those doubts all your life. If the research was not so personal to me then perhaps I would be able to take these knocks on the chin, but that is the nature of the beast.

Overall doing my PhD on my own condition has opened up many doors for me, in understanding myself and those around me. From this work I created my own blog (www.aspertypical.com) and a group specially dedicated to women on the spectrum.  I think it is vital that more research on autism is led by autistic individuals, as challenging as it may be for us to conduct I think that personal perspective within the research is paramount to understanding the condition.

Hannah Belcher
PhD Student / Research Assistant / Associate Lecturer
Grad Soc Digital Marketer (2014 - present)  
Anglia Ruskin University,
Faculty of Science and Technology, Psychology Dept.
Research Gate Profile / Linked In Profile
Author of www.aspertypical.com
 

Autism & Law Enforcement: 25 Field Response Tips
Dennis Debbaudt 2016
 
Law enforcement professionals may unexpectedly interact with or be asked to find a person with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recognizing the behavioral symptoms and knowing contact approaches can minimize situations of risk. You may learn the person has ASD from 911 dispatch, family member or someone at the scene, or the person himself or herself.
 
The following are 25 field response tips for officers:
 
1. Make sure the person is unarmed and maintain a safe distance because they may suddenly invade your personal space.
2. Talk calmly and softly.
3. Speak in direct, short phrases such as: “Stand up now.” or “Get in the car.”
4. Avoid slang expressions, such as: “What’s up your sleeve?” or “Are you pulling my leg?”
5. Allow for delayed responses (10-15 seconds) to your questions or commands.
6. Repeat or rephrase questions.
7. Consider use of pictures, written phrases/commands, sign language or computer images.
8. Use low gestures for attention; avoid rapid pointing or waving.
9. Examine for presence of medical alert jewelry or tags, or an autism handout card.
10. Model calming body language (such as slow breathing and keeping hands low).
11. Model the behavior you want the person to display.
12. A person with autism may not react well to changes in routine or the presence of strangers, even a uniformed responder.
13. Officers should not interpret the person’s failure to respond to orders or questions as a lack of cooperation or a reason for increased force.
14. Seek information and assistance from parent or others at the scene about how to communicate with and de-escalate the person’s behavior.
15. Avoid stopping repetitive behaviors unless there is risk of injury to yourself or others.
16. If the individual is holding and appears to be fascinated with an inanimate object, consider allowing subject to hold the item for the calming effect (if officer safety is not jeopardized by doing so).
17. Evaluate for injury: person may not ask for help or show any indications of pain, even though injury seems apparent.
18. Be aware that the person may be having a seizure.
19. Be aware of person’s self-protective responses and sensitivities to lights, sounds, touches, orders, and animals - canine or mounted patrol.
20. If possible, turn off sirens and flashing lights and remove canine partners, crowds, or other sensory stimulation from the scene
21. If person’s behavior escalates, use geographic containment and maintain a safe distance until any inappropriate behaviors lessen
22. Remain alert to the possibility of outbursts or impulsive acts
23. Use your discretion. If you have determined that the person is unarmed and have established geographic containment, use all available time to allow the person to deescalate themselves without your intervention.
24. If in custody, alert jail authorities. The person would be at risk in general prison population.
25. REMEMBER: Each individual with autism is unique and may act or react differently. PLEASE contact a professional who is familiar with autism. (Debbaudt & Legacy, 2005)
 
Autism & Law Enforcement Contacts:
Autism is America’s fastest growing developmental disability. Autism is estimated to affect as many as one in every 68 children (CDC- NCBDDD, 2012). Research indicates that people, who have developmental disabilities, including autism, will have up to seven times more contacts with police than a member of the general public (Curry et al, 1993).
 
Children and adults with autism now live, work, go to school and recreate in the community. Law enforcement professionals will have field interactions with children and adults with autism, their parents and care providers.
 
People with autism are as different from each other as we all are. They may inherently present autism spectrum-based behaviors and characteristics in different combinations and degrees.
 
Each person will have a different level of independence as well. Some persons with autism will have a caregiver with them at all times. Others will live semi or fully independent lives. Both may have public safety or criminal justice contacts. In most cases, the person will have difficulties following your verbal commands, reading your body language, and will have deficits in social understanding. As with many Alzheimer’s patients, less independent children and adults with autism may wander away from care and into danger.
 
Whether as offender or victim-witness, persons on the autism spectrum will present dilemmas in the interview and interrogation room. Their concrete answers, conceptions, and reactions to even the most standard interrogation techniques can cause confusion for even the best trained, seasoned veterans. Autism-specific training can help criminal justice professionals save time and resources and avoid taking misleading statements or false confessions.
 
© Dennis Debbaudt 2004-16 All Rights Reserved
 
For direct training, curriculum and video development, contact:
Dennis Debbaudt at 772-398-9756 (son with autism may answer phone) email ddpi@flash.net web: autismriskmanagement.com and debbaudtlegacy.com
 
References:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Web Site. Accessed March, http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
Curry, K., Posluszny, M. and Draska, S. (1993) Training Criminal Justice Personnel to Recognize Offenders with Disabilities. Washington, DC: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services News In Print.
Debbaudt, D. and Rothman, D. (2001) Contact With Individuals With Autism: Effective Resolutions.FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 7, 4, 20-24.
 Debbaudt, D. (2002) Autism, Advocates and Law Enforcement Professionals: Recognizing and Reducing Risk Situations for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Debbaudt, D. (2003) Safety Issues for Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome. In Liane Holliday Willey (ed) Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence: Living with the Ups, the Downs and Things in Between. London-Philadelphia. Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Debbaudt, D.Autism: Managing Police Field Contacts, International Association of Chiefs of Police, June, 2013.
Video
Debbaudt D. and Legacy, D. (2004) Autism & Law Enforcement Roll Call Briefing
Debbaudt D. and Legacy, D. (2009) Autism, Fire-Rescue and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Debbaudt D. and Legacy, D. (2009) Autism in the Criminal Justice System on behalf of the State of North Carolina
 

​A life lived with an autism spectrum challenge can become a journey filled with too many bumps and falls that leave permanent aches and scars on who we are and who we are meant to be. The struggle to fit in, the misunderstandings, the exhaustion that follows even a simple day, can leave a person with bone cracking anguish and a soul filled with hurt.
 
But it doesn’t have to.
 
I challenge you to wake up each morning with a deep appreciation for who you are and for what you can do. Love yourself. Love your flaws and your strengths, your quirks and your gifts, for each bit of who you are makes you the best you can be.
 
Learn from your mistakes and pass on the wisdom of your new knowledge to those who might benefit from your experiences. Share who you are and how you came to be you, and you will have turned a negative into a positive.
 
Never take yourself or your mishaps too seriously. Laugh at yourself. Laughter isn’t just the best medicine; it is the medicine that can heal any pain, no matter how deep the pain goes.
 
Daydream. Indulge in your favorite music. Read a book that brings you bliss. Take photographs of things that bring you joy. Doodle silly things. Learn a new hobby. Dare yourself to be happy and take that dare.
 
Create an image of who you want to be and then become that person. Realize that no one but you are in control of your destiny. You own your right to a happy and productive life. Take ownership of your possibilities and your hopes for your life.
 
Don’t give in to the self-wounding thoughts or behaviors that try to convince you your life is filled with too many roadblocks. The truth is, every single human ever born, has had their fair share of roadblocks. There is nothing unique about fighting an uphill battle, but there is something unique about you. Find that unique gem that makes you stand out from the crowd in whatever way that may be. Then polish that gem until it is radiant.
 
When all is said and done, rejoice in your world and know, really know, that a life enriched with good things, and a life well lived, is within your reach. Grab it.