Explaining the Concept of Justice
Communicating the concept of justice versus injustice to your child can be difficult, especially in relation to her own behavior and actions. Wherever possible, use anecdotes from your child's past without sounding punitive or accusatory. Though your child may become highly defensive of her motives for doing something, remind her that, as a parent, you made the judgment that she was in error, if that is the case. There may also have been times when a sibling, neighbor, or cousin reported to you that your child did something that you considered minor enough not to act upon. You may wish to reveal those instances to your child as well. Revisiting this topic over time, or as the need arises, will be a “safe” way for your child to practice developing the skill to make judgment calls about those gray areas.
Fact
Like many abused children, the child with Asperger's, in particular may believe that the abuse is normal or expected, or that he is responsible. It is important to help your child understand what constitutes abuse, and that being abused or abusing others is never okay.
It can be just as difficult for your child to determine when the actions of another are cause for concern. One way to help your child understand this is to discuss it in the context of whether or not the act is harmful to others. Some people with Asperger's who live in the community become nuisances because they repeatedly dial 911 to report a wide variety of infractions that they perceive as legitimate but that are not appropriate to report as emergencies. Coach your child on weighing the potential ramifications of reporting something that either doesn't directly affect her or doesn't cause harm to others or their property. You may even wish to create a visual guessing game using words, pictures, or videos and pausing to brainstorm with your child about each specific scenario. Are there real-life scenarios either of you can recall that mirror your discussion (and reinforce the concept in a concrete manner)? If you use the shows or characters that most impassion your child, this learning time will be especially pleasing and memorable.
The Role of the Police
Police academies across the country are slowly becoming more aware of the responsibility law enforcement officials have to broaden their knowledge about people with different ways of being. California and Pennsylvania are among the leaders in this initiative. You may wish to contact your local police headquarters or state police academy to learn about the status of police training on people with special needs. If you are affiliated with any autism or Asperger's groups in your area, you may wish to volunteer your time and services to support your local police in this endeavor.
Police Purview
While an effort is under way to educate police officers to enhance their understanding and sensitivity toward people with disabilities, law enforcement officials have a difficult job that often requires them to make on-the-spot assessments to ensure public safety. If a police officer has cause to believe that an individual is behaving in a way that may jeopardize his or her safety or that of others, the officer has an obligation to quickly size up the situation. Depending upon the situation and the extent of his or her training, the officer may not have the time or ability to “match” an individual's behavior with a specific disability. A police officer may misinterpret certain actions or behaviors, such as the following:
Tics, or unusual, repetitive fine or gross motor activity
Loud, boisterous, or unusual tone of voice
Loitering or lurking around certain people or places
The officer makes an assessment of the behavior based upon what he or she is most likely to encounter. It is more commonplace for an officer to encounter someone behaving in unusual ways due to a drug or mental health problem, so it is likely that the officer will respond accordingly.
Fact
Check out the website titled “Police and Autism: Avoiding Unfortunate Circumstances” at
If a police officer suspects that some type of criminal activity is about to happen, he or she can intervene in a variety of ways, depending upon the seriousness of the situation. Regardless of whether your child has Asperger's Syndrome, the officer still has an official duty to stop the threat of danger.
Essential
Strides are being made to enhance police sensitivity in dealing with people with different ways of being. Still, be mindful that many officers are expected to make split-second judgments and not clinical diagnoses. Protect yourself and your child by reviewing ways in which police have indicated it is most helpful to support them in the community during an encounter.
What to Do When Stopped
Police may be familiar only with autism stereotypes, meaning those individuals who outwardly present as severely limited and engage in activities and actions traditionally associated with autism. The subtleties of Asperger's Syndrome can be something altogether different. If stopped and questioned by a police officer, your child can protect herself by quietly listening to and complying with the officer's directions, such as a request to put down what's in one's hand (if a weapon is suspected). As always, disclosing one's diagnosis in the moment is a personal choice, and stating, “I have Asperger's Syndrome” may or may not have relevance for a police officer at the time. Anyone can become quickly flustered or rattled if stopped by a police officer. You may forget information that you should be able to readily provide, or you may feel justified in blurting out your side of the story. If your child chooses not to disclose her diagnosis, as is her right, she may have to communicate her confusion in order to understand and cooperate with the police officer. An example may be to say, “You're talking too fast, please slow down.” Or “I don't understand what you're asking, please say it another way.” Your child may also want to ask that the officer call you or an ally to be present with you.
