People on the autism spectrum do not respond to their surroundings in the same way “neuro-typical” people do, Valerie Wheat, assistant director of Autism Studies at Jacksonville State University, told Southside first responders during a training session Monday.
“Some of their responses may seem very strange,” Wheat said.
That can be frustrating in many settings. In an encounter with law enforcement, it could be far more serious.
Wheat talked to first responders about some of the behaviors they might see in people with autism spectrum disorder and ways to better deal with them.
Such training is needed: Studies indicate individuals with autism are seven times more likely to come in contact with law enforcement.
Wheat said autism is a social and communication disorder that can cause those who have it to sometimes display “mindblindness” to others.