FACT 12: Approximately 20 percent of individuals with ASD will interact with and be questioned by police with at least 5 percent being arrested by 21-years of age
- Research indicates that young autistic adults have similar rates of involvement with the criminal justice system (CJS) compared to those with intellectual disabilities and the general population, often being less likely to be offenders and more likely to be victims of crime.
- However, studies show that a notable percentage of autistic youth (19.5%) have been stopped by police, and 18% of autistic adults have been arrested. When autistic individuals engage with the CJS, their social communication styles can lead to negative perceptions and harsher penalties.
VIDEO: How Michigan State Police troopers are learning to respond to people with autism
Duration- 3:01 mins