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Identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )

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Section II: Identifying Autism
Recognizing characteristics autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and identifying them in individuals is an essential first step for any police officer to conduct positive interactions when confronting individuals with ASD. Officers who can successfully identify individuals with ASD are more likely to be able to use what they know to choose an appropriate approach when confronting these individuals. Benefits of this may include better officer safety and less injuries and fatalities for disabled individuals. With this in mind, it is incredibly troubling to consider that approximately 80% of police officers in a survey found it difficult to identify the distinguishing features of ASD (Modell & Mak, 2008). Therefore, it would seem paramount that there be a promotion of police trainings that focus on improving officers’ knowledge of diagnosis and characteristics of ASD as well as their ability to recognize these characteristics in individuals they encounter.
Diagnosis
ASD is a pervasive developmental disorder that consists of abnormal development and functioning of the brain. ASD may involve deficits in social behaviors, abnormalities in communication, cognitive delays, and repetitive behaviors (UC San Diego Autism Center of Excellence, 2016). ASD is a broad spectrum neurological disorder with a variety of symptoms affecting each individual differently (Debbaudt & Rothman, 2001). ASD involves severe impairments of reciprocal social interactions, impaired

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