Tips for Families to Support Interactions with Law Enforcement

March 10, 2025

A staged traffic stop outside the Elizabeth Police Department features officers interacting with a driver in a silver sedan. A marked police SUV with a colorful autism awareness design is parked nearby. The officers appear engaged in conversation with the driver, demonstrating a mock pullover scenario.

Interacting with law enforcement can be stressful for anyone, but for individuals with autism, these situations can present heightened challenges. To ensure safety and mutual understanding, it’s crucial for families to be aware of both proactive and in-the-moment autism-friendly practices and prepare for potential encounters whether it be for young child or your adult child with autism. Here’s are some important tips.

Tip #1 – Engage with local law enforcement

Engaging with law enforcement prior to a potential encounter is a great way to build a positive relationship between your family and local law enforcement. Here’s how:

Make a connection: Develop a relationship with local law enforcement using our Law Enforcement Connection letter. You can use our prefilled letter or add your own information to our fillable version to set up a meeting or request a home visit from law enforcement.
Attend community events: Many police departments host events like “Coffee with a Cop,” where you can meet officers in a relaxed setting and share information about autism.
Advocate for autism-friendly practices: Learn about what autism-friendly practices your local department engages in and encourage them to adopt more autism-friendly practices that will have a positive impact on members of the community.

Tip #2 – Prepare, prepare, prepare

Being proactive is key to ensuring positive interactions. Here are some considerations for families:

Sign up for a registry: Voluntarily enroll your child in several registries available in the state. In particular, ensure to register your child with Local Law Enforcement. Doing so is crucial because registries can provide officers with essential information about communication needs and potential triggers prior to interacting with your child.
Get identification for your child: Have your child carry an autism identification card or wear a medical alert bracelet indicating their diagnosis. Doing so can help law enforcement officers shift their mindset when encountering a person with a disability.
Know your child’s location: Talk to your local law enforcement about using locative technology such as AngelSense (real-time) or Project Lifesaver (Radio Frequency [RF]) technology. Doing so can help locate your child in the event that they wander/elope.
Get organized: Assemble an emergency preparedness kit “go bag” with items such as non-perishable food, water, first aid supplies, a flashlight, power banks/chargers, calming items, clothes, and pertinent medical information (and medications).
Give a heads up: Seatbelt covers and car decals inform law enforcement and other first responders pre-engagement that an autistic occupant is inside and may require a different approach.

Tip #3 – Be calm and supportive during interactions

If you’re present during an interaction between your child and law enforcement, these are some things you can do to help the interaction go more smoothly:

Remain calm: Your demeanor can significantly influence the tone of the situation, especially at the start of the interaction. Try to remain composed and cooperative.
Communicate clearly: As soon as possible, inform the officer that your child is autistic and briefly mention any behaviors they might notice, such as hand flapping, delayed responses, or vocalizations.
Advocate for your child: Offer reasonable suggestions to help de-escalate the situation, such as moving to a quieter area or allowing more time for your child to process information.

Tip #4 – Support your adult child driver with autism

Some adults with autism may drive on their own. However, the experience of getting stopped by law enforcement can be extremely stressful. Here are a couple of key ways you can increase the likelihood of success for your adult child:

Get a Blue Envelope: Encourage your adult child to get a Blue Envelope. The Blue Envelope holds driving credentials for autistic drivers, provides helpful instructions to drivers about what to do during a motor vehicle stop, and informs law enforcement officers that certain communication difficulties, atypical behaviors, and signs of anxiety may be displayed.
Participate in mock pullovers: Look for opportunities for your adult child to take part in mock pullovers. These are simulated traffic stops designed to help autistic drivers better know what to expect, decrease anxiety, and increase the likelihood of safety during traffic stops.

Tip #5 – Engage with the New Jersey autism community

Engaging with autism advocacy organizations, providing feedback, and connecting with other families can help spread the word about the importance of autism-friendly practices for law enforcement. Here are some ways to engage:

Connect with Autism New Jersey: Send us an email, give a call to our 800.4.AUTISM Helpline, or attend our annual conference to learn more about how Autism New Jersey can support your family.
Provide feedback on your experiences: If your child has an encounter with law enforcement (we want to hear it all), share your experience with us by filling out this survey. Also share your experiences with the actual department to help inform their practices.
Participate in online support groups: Whether taking part in our Family Wellness Sessions or another support group, connecting with other families to share experiences and strategies can be useful.

By keeping in mind the above tips, families can help create safer, more positive interactions with law enforcement. Preparation and engagement are key to fostering mutual respect and understanding, ensuring that everyone feels protected and valued.

Mock pullovers help you know what to expect during a traffic stop.

Mock pullovers taught me the basics of how to handle actual police stops. It was good for me to learn the importance of keeping both hands on the wheel and also really helpful to have all my driving documents in one place.

One time I did get pulled over, and I used everything I learned. Thankfully the police officer was really good, and it showed me how being able to know what is expected helps to make a big difference for how you react to an actual police stop. Mock traffic programs are one of the best things you can do because they help you know what to expect during a traffic stop.

Andrew Arboe, Autistic self-advocate

Registries ensure that law enforcement officers are equipped to respond with empathy and understanding.

By providing officers with readily available information about individuals with disabilities and special health needs, registries ensure that law enforcement officers are equipped to respond with empathy and understanding, de-escalate potentially volatile situations, and provide respectful and effective assistance.

William A. Daniel, Union County Prosecutor

As the parent of a child with profound autism, my son’s safety is my top priority, and I appreciate the security and peace of mind that tracking devices provide.

When he eloped for the first time a couple of summers ago, my heart stopped. I’ve never been more terrified. I immediately contacted our local police department and county sheriff’s office, where I updated my son’s information on their autism and vulnerable persons registry and requested a free tracking device. I appreciate the security and peace of mind that tracking devices provide. As a mom, you hope you never have to use them, but knowing they’re available when I need them helps me breathe a little easier.

Amy Pini, Parent of a child with autism