Registering autistic children with the police: A strategic idea?

rockin'robin

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A new Canadian program is supposed to help officers defuse confrontations using sensitivity rather than force. But what about privacy?

Recently, the Canadian city of Ottawa formally and permanently adopted a voluntary autism registry, so parents can let police know of a child's diagnosis in case of trouble. Is this a logical way to help officers approach an autistic child most sensitively, or is it an invasion of privacy? Here, a brief guide:

What's the purpose of the registry?
The goal is to let police know — before they respond to a call — that they might be dealing with someone with autism spectrum disorder. An autistic child might not be able to speak or respond to commands, and might react violently to lights or sirens — crucial information for officers to have. Also, parents who participate in the registry can provide information to help officers defuse a threatening situation peacefully. "The more information our police officers have when they're responding to a call for service, the better it is for everybody," Ottawa outreach officer Zoye Coburn tells the Toronto Globe and Mail.

Does it help?
It has proved successful enough for the city to end a trial period, initiated in 2010, and make the registry permanent. Some 300 families have signed up. In one case last year, Ottawa police were able to subdue an autistic teenager who had chased his mother around the house with a knife. When officers arrived, instead of drawing their guns, as they are trained to do, they started chatting with the teen about hockey, because his mother had noted in the registry that he found hockey talk calming. Minutes later, the teen handed the weapon to a police officer, and was taken to a hospital. Advocates of the registry contrast such outcomes with cases in cities that lack an autism registry. In Toronto last July, police faced an angry backlash after officers handcuffed a 9-year-old boy with Asperger's Syndrome who'd been aggressive in class.

Is there any downside?
It certainly sounds like this "gives police important tools to work with those on the autism spectrum," says Sierra Black at Babble. "Does it respect the privacy of autistic individuals, though?" It will take a leap of faith for parents to give their children's sensitive medical information to the police. Many people will no doubt wonder if the state will only use the information strictly for good. "What if the state winds up using [it] to treat these children as suspects in crimes when they grow older, or to intervene in their care?"

Registering autistic children with the police: A strategic idea? - Yahoo! News
 
Interesting, quite a few parents of autistic children are in support of the registry.
 
It sounds alot like the special decal in the window of a deaf person's home or a special tag for the deaf person's car. It is a double edge sword. It is helpful for cop to be aware that the person is deaf long before he gets to met the person but once crooks knew of it and they will use that to commit crimes against deaf people.
 
It sounds alot like the special decal in the window of a deaf person's home or a special tag for the deaf person's car. It is a double edge sword. It is helpful for cop to be aware that the person is deaf long before he gets to met the person but once crooks knew of it and they will use that to commit crimes against deaf people.

I agree.
 
Hearing in the news about autistic children gone missing or wandering off, I think the registry is a good idea.

As for the deaf decals, I never felt a need to have them - it's enough just to show my hearing aids and explain I'm deaf and need to lipread. And I especially wouldn't put one on my car - are you kidding? With all those ignorant people out there thinking deaf people shouldn't drive, it would just make me a target.
 
Interesting, quite a few parents of autistic children are in support of the registry.
Yeah.

It should be something optional, not required.

If the parents feel it would be beneficial, then they can sign up. Their choice.
 
As long as the system is voluntary and sees success I say go for it. It is a personal or family choice just like the deaf decal or license plate. I understand it may help some but others may be offended or bothered by it. Freedom of choice is usually a good thing.
 
I have a problem here. This reminded me of Nazi Germany whereas they forced you to register or they knew you are disabled, colored, or Jewish and label them with a symbol like a Star of David on a Jewish person. A decal on your car or house or even a business card I object them.

Here in my hometown there is an interpreting service that is professional, for profit group send out to every Deaf person a set of business card with your name on it and labeled DEAF on it. It is an outrageous! It is my rights to be private and not be labeled. I went to see those people and returned my cards and rip them up in front of them. I made my point and they apologized. They never bothered me again with anything like that.

I understand like the Handicapped parking spaces you have to have that label on your car so you can park. It makes sense of course. But Deaf people should not use Handicapped parking space unless they have a disability that requires them to park on the Handicapped parking space such as confined to a wheelchair. I am trying to make a point.

There are some labeling it is not necessary.

We must destroy socialism, communism, totalitarianism, etc because they usually label you and put you down. That is our opinion.
 
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