Policing Black autistic children: A qualitative approach to understanding Black caregivers' concerns

• Published in: Autism : the international journal of research and practice 2024-12, p.13623613241303549
• Main Authors: Yates Flanagan, Ashlee, Cola, Meredith, Yu, Naomi, Peele, Haley, Dicette, Keeana, Hicks, Grace, Pelella, Maggie Rose, King-Pointer, Ayana, Owens, Jamiel, Truong, Dieu M, Hauptmann, Aili, Pacheco, Juan, Russell, Alison, Lee, Amanda, Schillinger, Sarah, Covello, Maxine, Lyons, Meg, Solórzano, Rita, Turnacioglu, Sinan, Ravindran, Vijay, McCleery, Joseph P, Miller, Judith S, Parish-Morris, Julia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1461-7005; 1461-7005
• DOI: 10.1177/13623613241303549

In the United States, Black autistic youth face elevated risk of negative outcomes during police interactions. Although the outcomes of these interactions are well-documented, less is known about Black autistic youths' experiences during police encounters, as the current literature has largely examined the experiences of autistic adults, mostly White American samples, and/or autistic youth abroad. This study utilizes qualitative methods to examine the perceptions and concerns of 43 Black caregivers (N = 43; 98% parents; 2% legal guardians; 93% mothers) of Black autistic children (mean age: 16.5; 79% male) regarding police interactions with their autistic children. Through phenomenological analysis, four dominant themes emerged: concerns regarding the , children's , the explicit , and the hope for . These findings demonstrate that caregivers' perceptions of police behavior are inextricably linked to their concerns about the quality of police officers' training. This study highlights (1) the importance of including racially and ethnically diverse individuals in research exploring autistic individuals' police interactions, (2) the need for culturally responsive and neuro-affirming adaptations to existing policing interventions designed for autistic people, and (3) of integrating Black caregivers' concerns into law enforcement training efforts.