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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMy Son Is Black. With Autism. And I’m Scared Of What The Police Will Do To Him.
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[link:http://|Two months ago, my wife and I sat in the Marcus Autism Centers exam room and heard the doctors tell us our son, Langston, had Autism Spectrum Disorder. I cant articulate how I felt then because now, even weeks removed, I can barely articulate how Im feeling now as I type these words. Mostly, on the drive home, I vacillated between worst-case scenario panic and optimism that everything will be okay. However, at some point on the way home I started thinking about what would happen if my son came in contact with a police officer, and I began to break down. Yes, less than an hour after hearing my son has autism, I took into consideration what it means when he interacts with a cop. This is the reality of a Black parent in America.
Autism is a disorder characterized by social interaction difficulties, verbal and nonverbal communication issues and a penchant for repetitive movements. Since we caught my sons diagnosis early hes only two years old we arent quite sure exactly where he falls on the autism spectrum and wont know until hes a few years older. So we dont know what his autism will look like or what sort of difficulties (if any) hell be faced with.
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Just this week, one of our therapists sent a behavioral plan for Langston, saying that if he didnt follow spoken instructions then we should physically guide him to do what we want from him. But his therapists are White. And as incredible and helpful as theyve been, they dont live with the reality that we do. Our son needs to know how to follow verbal instructions because if he doesnt, a cop will find that as justification for ending my boys life. While we have to modify our language and communication to better convey our needs to our son and build his social skills, him knowing how follow explicit police instructions is non-negotiable. Its life and death. I need him to know these things.
I keep thinking about what would happen if a cop is wearing gloves and puts his hands on my son. And my son pulls away because the texture of the gloves bother him. Or if my son just doesnt like being touched by strangers. Or doesnt react well when people point or raise their voices at him. Right now, the best way to get Langston to follow instructions is to get at eye level with him and explain very calmly what we need from him. What if thatll always be the best way to communicate with him and a cop sees my sons inability to process orders as an act of disobedience. What if my son pulling back from a cop is seen as an act of aggression? What if a simple repetitive motion is mistaken for an attempt at physical confrontation? If a cop is yelling at my son and he doesnt respond because he doesnt understand, whats stopping the cop from murdering my boy in cold blood?
The Mike Brown murder affected my family as I imagine it affected millions of people. We saw our son in that teenage boy walking down the street, gunned down in cold blood. The Eric Garner video, though, hit closer to home. Because when I look at that Eric Garner video I see autism. I see someone trying his hardest to communicate to a group of people who just dont hear him. Garner is screaming at the top of his lungs in plain English but his language doesnt mean anything. Hes an outsider, society literally pouncing on him because they dont understand. Silencing him because hes not fitting into the behavior they want for him. Hes alone. Hes scared. And he doesnt understand whats happening to him. I see Mr. Garner. I see my son. I see Black people silenced by any means necessary. I see lives gone in the blink of an eye. And I see how any perceived resistance could mean the end for my first and only son.
Read More
https://medium.com/human-parts/my-son-is-black-with-autism-and-im-scared-of-what-the-police-will-do-to-him-1af15a203d57
Kalidurga
(14,177 posts)I understand he wants to stay away from the police. But, in this case it might be better if he has a lot of conversations with the police. I am afraid that could backfire, but while he is talking to the police he can assess their reactions, if it is negative or understanding or if they think he is an over protective parent. If it is anything but understanding then maybe it is not such a good thing. At that point maybe an advocacy group that works with autistic people specifically or if that doesn't exist an agency that deals with mentally ill people as the police have a bad habit of shooting and killing them as well.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Langston's life matters, too. They shouldn't have to live with that fear.
sheshe2
(83,795 posts)What a cutie he is. I wish him a good life.
Thanks, so good to see you.
Hekate
(90,721 posts)I so wish I had answers. I so wish our world were different.
sheshe2
(83,795 posts)So very sad Hekate.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Terra Alta
(5,158 posts)I remember an incident a while back of a young autistic man being killed by a trigger-happy cop, though I believe this man was white. This poor child has two things against him -- his autism and his skin color. Hopefully by the time he reaches his adolescent years cops will be less trigger-happy and more understanding of those they perceive as "different" from them.
951-Riverside
(7,234 posts)Provided he doesnt grow up to be 6ft tall and over 250lbs.
Apparently being black and fitting that criteria is an instant death sentence.
sheshe2
(83,795 posts)and I find that so sad.
Solly Mack
(90,775 posts)nichomachus
(12,754 posts)My friend is white. The kids are black. One of them is developmentally delayed. I was at a Chirstmas party with them on Sunday. The kids were a delight -- and yet, as much as I loved watching them have a wonderful time, I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. One wrong choice, one wrong move, one wrong word and it's over. We live in a very very sick society that I should even have to have those thoughts at a Christmas party.
RufusTFirefly
(8,812 posts)deafskeptic
(463 posts)I'm neither an African-American or someone with autism. However, I have one thing in common with his son. You see, autism and deafness have one thing in common - they both affect how people with either/both issues communicate with the world. I'm a Deaf woman.
Cops have been a problem in the Deaf community for years though not to the extent of the African-American community - unless the person is both Deaf and a person of color.
Every so often, I hear tales of police brutality/death by cops in the Deaf community. I've not been able to trust the cops since I was a teenager while going to school in DC.
It's gotten really out of hand. Cops need to be made accountable for their actions. Period.
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)We must keep up the pressure on reform. It is just wrong that so many Americans are terrified - and rightfully so - of the police that are supposed to be there to serve and protect us all.
eridani
(51,907 posts)He was deaf in one ear and turning around to try to hear what the cop was saying to him when he was summarily executed. I'm just hard of hearing, and that seriously scares me--even though I have white sking privilege and am old and harmless looking.
deafskeptic
(463 posts)I'm a white woman with profound bilateral deafness from birth as well.
Cha
(297,334 posts)were Black, she. And, with the added challenge of Autism it would be doubly frightening to think of what the future could hold with the current state of the American PD.
Such a sweet little boy.. so much potential for the future.
From your link.. end snip//
"Ive cried too damn much in the last couple of months. Ive worried and lost sleep, mentally punching at empty spaces and feeling physically exhausted as America chokes the air from our lungs. My son wasnt just diagnosed with autism. He was diagnosed with a target on his head and the fear of a cop aiming at that target is crippling. There was a time I wanted police to protect my family, but I dont want them anywhere near us. I dont want the police to serve or protect us. I just want them to leave my boy the hell alone. Maybe that will be the best thing they can do to help save his life."
Mahalo for your OP, she.. Very compellingly written essay for his son from David Dennis Jr~
sheshe2
(83,795 posts)He was diagnosed with a target on his head and the fear of a cop aiming at that target is crippling.
So many tears and so many fears, Cha.
cstanleytech
(26,299 posts)people with mental problems.
deafskeptic
(463 posts)I seem to remember hearing about the murder of an Native American who also suffered from mental illness by cops a while ago.
Cha
(297,334 posts)Adults.
Thanks she
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)your fears are justified. My only suggestion is to get involved with an advocacy organization in your area for people with disabilities such as The Arc. They work hard to raise awareness among police about people with developmental disabilities.
etherealtruth
(22,165 posts)...where this is a very valid fear