Preparing Law Enforcement Officers to Engage Successfully with Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Evaluation of a Performance-Based Approach.

Researchers tested a new way to train police officers to work better with autistic people. They used role-playing scenarios with actors to teach 27 officers and trainees. The training helped officers learn better ways to communicate and get cooperation without using force. The study showed that hands-on practice works better than just classroom learning for this type of training.

This study evaluated a performance-based training approach to help law enforcement officers (LEOs) interact more effectively with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research used simulations with actors to assess behavioral skills training (BST) effectiveness among 3 LEOs and 24 police cadets. Results demonstrated that BST was effective in teaching LEOs strategies to promote compliance and reduce unnecessary use of force when responding to calls involving individuals with ASD. The study suggests that hands-on training methods should supplement traditional didactic instruction approaches currently used in law enforcement training programs.

Results suggest behavioral skills training with simulation-based practice could improve law enforcement interactions with autistic individuals, potentially reducing unnecessary force and escalation. Implementation may require supplementing traditional classroom training with hands-on experiential learning approaches.

Very small sample size (27 participants total) limits generalizability. Study type and detailed methodology not clearly specified in abstract. No comparison group mentioned. Long-term retention and real-world application of skills not assessed.

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) may use physical force unnecessarily or escalate problem behavior when attempting to gain the compliance of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Copenhaver & Tewksbury in American Journal of Criminal Justice 44:309-333, 2019). Although specialized training may remedy this problem, the relatively small literature on such training programs indicates the need for further research (Railey et al. in Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 2020). This study used simulations with actors to evaluate the outcomes of performance-based instruction on strategies to promote compliance when LEOs respond to calls involving individuals with ASD. Results for three LEOs and 24 police cadets demonstrated the efficacy of behavioral skills training (BST) for teaching LEOs how to interact more effectively with individuals with ASD.

Results also suggested that hands-on training should supplement commonly used forms of didactic instruction.