Effective Communication
Autistic individuals can have communication challenges including difficulty understanding body language, inability to effectively communicate vocally, and difficulty understanding and following directions. Practices such as giving clear and concise instructions, allowing for additional response time, and recognizing that people may communicate with visual aids or communication devices are all ways to potentially support autistic individuals’ communication needs. In addition, ensuring that there is an effective relay of information about an individual’s communication challenges with other first responders can be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful interaction. Cumberland County is doing their part to support effective communication by providing their officers with communication cards that they can use with autistic individuals when they encounter law enforcement and there is a potential communication challenge. The cards contain English/Spanish text, a letterboard, and pictograms depicting conditions and needs common to emergencies.
Per the New Jersey Attorney General Directive, the Mental Health Working Group was tasked to develop a ‘toolbox’ of resources available for
law enforcement to use to support those in mental health crisis, and those with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities, cognitive impairments, and substance use disorders. These communication cards achieve this objective and complement other like-kind protocols, programs, and resources available to first responders in Cumberland County.
| Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae
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