Autism and Police

Chattanooga Police have a new option for parents of autistic children by creating a registration for them.

Police department has created a voluntary special needs identification program with assistance from the chattanooga autism center.

News 12s joeli poole tells us how it works.

Poole "the chattanooga police department is working to break down the barriers between law enforcement and residents with special needs by creating a voluntary special needs identification program.

I spoke with officials who explain how this new program can be beneficial for both sides."

A cpd officer learned of the need for the program after reading a social media post from a mother of a child who is autistic.

The special needs id program was created to help police officers, community members with special needs, and their families in the event of a situation which involves a police response.

David lewis "the responding officer that encounters someone with special needs will see the id card and in bold red letters it says special needs and the diagnoses.

It gives the officer a starting point in how to approach the individual.

On the card it has instructions: to contact a family member, take them home, or to contact a crisis intervention officer if necessary."

Dave buck "wondering off is an issue in the autism community and parents worry about a variety of different things.

Of course when they do come across law enforcement they want it to go well.

So this is one more thing to allow law enforcement to take the best steps and best practice in treating them as someone who needs help."

The special needs identification registry is open to all who reside, attend school, or are employed in chattanooga.

Community members are invited to voluntarily participate by providing vital information regarding a registrant's special needs, emergency contact information, and a current photograph in order to be issued an identification card.

Lewis "call our office, schedule an appointment to come in, make such we have someone in the id unit that can take your picture, you need a dr referral or a referral from somewhere like the autism center then just a little bit of paperwork and you are ready to go."

Poole "the registration is completely voluntary , confidential and free to those who wish to get an id card.

For more information on how to sign up go to our website wdef dot com.

In chattanooga joeli poole news 12 now."

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