Racial harassment alleged duringarrest of young autistic man

Racial harassment alleged during<br />arrest of young autistic man

This is a really interesting, frustrating, appalling, GAHHHH, piece of news. From a disabilities advocate standpoint, I think Neli's mom is right in wanting to get an ID bracelet to alert people of his disability. As parents, we want our kids to lead normal lives, advocate for themselves, and NOT be labeled.

But the reality is children with disabilities become adults with disabilities. They are subject to the same laws, social rules, and standards of courtesy, and ridicule, racism, profiling, sexual exploitation, etc. We cannot be with them in every aspect of their adult lives to ensure they are treated fairly or with understanding. Our disabled children will most likely out live us...who will "take care" of them then?

My suggestion is to parents, guardians, and caregivers: be realistic with early interventions, social space and courtesy. Even children and adults with social disorders can learn to act appropriately in order to avoid exploitation, illegal activities, or scare others accidentally, just to name a few. They need to be taught to check in with a care giver before going out alone. They should have some way of communicating with caregivers when they are out and about. They should have some ID to alert the public of their disability and a phone number of a caregiver. (this is also good policy in case they are ever injured and too distraught to cooperate with police, or receive medical attention).
They need to be told "no" so later in life its not a shock to them when it comes from someone else.

The further tragedy in this story is that Neli may have been racially profiled and harassed by officers. Additionally, he was sent to jail. There he acted like an autistic person...withdrawn, confused, irritable and was sent for mental evaluation. He is 18. No one has to ask for parental consent or tell the parent anything. This boy, who is diagnosed with Autism, may end up institutionalized because he might not recover from the trauma and ignorance from this single experience!