Donna Lorman, the president of the Autistic Society of Greater Orlando and Osceola, recently addressed law enforcement officers from across Central Florida. During her talk, she highlighted the importance of understanding and interacting with individuals on the autism spectrum. Donna shared an illustrative example involving her son, Drew Lorman, who is a 31-year-old man with autism.

In the scenario, Donna attempted to take her son’s green pop tube, but Drew fiercely protected it. He pushed his mother back each time she tried to yank the toy from his hands. Donna emphasized that such situations can escalate, potentially leading to confrontations with law enforcement officers (LEOs). Drew had been trained to replace challenging behaviors, but if officers don’t recognize the signs, it could result in unnecessary conflict.

To address this issue, House Bill 829 is making its way through the Florida Legislature. Filed by Rep. Paula Stark, the bill proposes that officers receive at least four hours of in-person training on dealing with people on the autism spectrum. The training covers techniques for identifying, interviewing, and de-escalating situations involving individuals with autism. It complements the recently passed Protect Our Loved Ones Act, which allows local policing agencies to maintain a database of people with disabilities.

The proposed training requirements also educate officers about the restrictions in Florida’s Baker Act. This act prevents involuntary commitment solely based on a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, recognizing that it is not a mental illness. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism, and cultural perceptions are evolving as experts better identify early signs.

Donna Lorman and Bal Harbour police detective Hector Gonzalez have been training officers throughout Florida and Georgia for nearly a decade. They use role-playing scenarios involving their adult children to prepare officers. The goal is to bridge understanding gaps and prevent misunderstandings that could have life-or-death consequences for individuals who may not fully comprehend their surroundings.

Rep. Paula Stark’s bill aims to enhance law enforcement’s ability to interact effectively with people on the autism spectrum. It’s a crucial step toward ensuring safety and understanding for everyone involved.

Rep. Paula Stark emphasized the importance of preventing flawed interactions between law enforcement officers and individuals with special needs. She stated, “That is an example of what we don’t want to happen.” If even a small preventive measure can improve these situations, it’s progress.

Unfortunately, such incidents are not rare. Earlier this year, the parents of a 9-year-old boy with special needs filed a federal lawsuit against the Oviedo Police Department. The officers had handcuffed the child and threatened to take him to jail during an aggressive episode, despite teachers’ protests that the child had a “behavior intervention plan.”

Donna Lorman, an advocate, has witnessed countless similar stories. She emphasizes the need to police children based on their developmental age rather than their chronological age. Failing to do so puts both the children and law enforcement officers at risk (Source: Microsoft News)