Alright – so, after what happened in North Miami few weeks ago, I think most autism parents if not all are uneasy about law enforcement. The one thing that would have prevented what happened in North Miami is clearly autism training for law enforcement. As I have said in previous posts, there are no nationwide, federal or state requirements for autism training in law enforcement. There lies the problem because unless it is required and part of law enforcement’s training, autism will remain a mystery to most officers.
I have contacted many cities in Minnesota and some in the country to get a feel of their autism training. Most don’t have any, some have a little here and there under their crises management. Some have few minutes of drive-by where they cover all mental health and disabilities. Minnesota is one of those. There is not one city that can say we have the autism training down and understand what autism is, and how to de-escalate an autistic person in distress. Minnesota which has about 600 state troopers does not have a good thoughtful and comprehensive autism training. They have few minutes where they mention autism among other disabilities and mental health conditions. North Miami also did not have any autism training for their police and I don’t think Florida has any for their state highway patrol officers.
From what I understand, few of North Miami’s city council members held community meetings asking about autism training. It has been suggested that they will now provide such training. It is too bad something bad had to happen first. I am really impressed by city’s community meetings and how everyone voiced their opinion and take. I don’t think I have ever seen such venue in Minnesota. You know the land of 10,000 racial disparities.
The Miami Police Union President Mr. John Rivera sent me an email stating they are open to autism training. Mr. Rivera also welcomes legislation requiring autism training which I think is always the best way to go. Personally, I prefer to advocate through legislation and policy change because that brings the best change. We need a federal and Minn state legislation requiring autism training. As anyone knows, any state or federal legislation can take a while unless there is a legislator that is really interested is or is personally impacted. I think there is one legislator in Minn House, and I am blanking on his name now, but maybe I will try to start there then try to convince the house/senate chairs of public safety committees to support it. On the other hand, going to advocate at the Minnesota Capitol buildings is not all that fun – I must say. I remember when I advocated for the autism therapy legislation, I would take two Tylenol before and two Tylenol after I left there. We could advocate city to city, but that will take forever.
I am extremely disappointed in Autism Society of America’s inability to use the North Miami incident as a reason to push a federal legislation that would require law enforcement training. Equally disappointing is Autism Speaks’ position on this issue. One in 68 kids in the U.S have autism. These children will become teens and adults which means since there is no cure for autism, law enforcement may be called to help.
Above words do not reflect any agency, candidate or committee.
Idil – Somali Autism Mom & Minority Advocate