There isn’t enough money for funding to train police officers in de-escalation techniques (see link). About de-escalation:http://www.policemag.com/channel/careers-training/articles/2016/03/de-escalation-training-learning-to-back-off.aspx
We, or those who love us shouldn’t have to be harmed or even killed due to a misunderstanding. Especially when we aren’t holding a weapon.
I’m sure there are people who will say that any method of training doesn’t work 100% and I’d say they are right, but to do nothing is worse.
Here is a link to a You Tube video (under 10 minutes) that demonstrates a psychiatrist using de-escalation with an agitated patient:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B9Kqg6jFeI
Here is another descalation video for police officers involving a police officer called to an unstable man’s home:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JERkZoWGLWQ
Don’t diagnose, listen.
Most times, an agitated person needs to be listened to. With autistic people such as myself, it takes longer to articulate my thoughts into speech and answer questions. In addition to crippling anxiety, my sensory processing is also poor. When I am near a meltdown (almost always due to sensory overload) my ability to reason and gauge disappear.
This is why screaming and barking questions at an autistic person (or any person, really) is a bad idea, but especially toward an autistic person whose brain and entire body are on fire. Without premeditation, verbal assault can lead the autistic person to lash out in order to make the loud noises coming from a screaming first responder stop.They never intended to cause harm, it was an unpremeditated act of self protection.
I have found out a big way to avoid meltdowns is just to stay home as much as possible and leave the public at the slightest inkling of stress. It isn’t worth having to face another bad first responder situation, especially now that my parents are gone and can’t protect me.
Except for forest preserves, I pretty much stay at home save for Medical appointments and the occasional trip to Michael’s for beads or Kohl’s for candles and occasionally, clothing. I NEVER go to public places on weekends or past 5pm.
I always have a help-person such as a compassionate family member or case-worker with me when I do leave home.
I do what I need to do to survive in a humane state.
Please share this if you find it to help someone you know.
I pray this has enlightened you. May God bless you in Jesus' name, Amen.