If you’ve had encounters with police due to your own or your child’s neurodivergence, you are not alone. Here, ADDitude readers shared their experiences with law enforcement.
“I attempted to pick up my son from school to take him to the hospital emergency room. The teacher said he had a seizure-like activity. When I arrived at school, he was restrained by two administrators as they escorted him to my car. He became very aggressive inside my car and hit me in the head so hard that I was bleeding. I attempted to call Crisis Response, but the operator said they weren’t available and dispatched police. Two officers arrived. My son has BFRBs (body-focused repetitive behaviors). One officer yelled at my son, ‘Look at me when I talk to you. You think it’s OK to just sit there and pick your nose and nails? You think it’s alright to hit your mom? Boy, if you were a little older, I’d lock you up right now!‘”
“I was arrested at age 21 for spray painting a small stencil of leaping wildebeests on a concrete overpass in broad daylight. I gave zero thought to the implications of spray painting in a public space. It was impulsive and creative. The consequences were huge. I wish that impulsivity were part of the conversation when educating public safety officials about ADHD.”
[Free Download: Common Signs of a Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior]
“When my son was in high school, he had a giant meltdown after a peer incident. The police were called. He’s a large kid and started sobbing. The police told him to stop crying or he’d be handcuffed. Needless to say, he was handcuffed. I wish the police knew more about the mental health aspects of ADHD. It was a humiliating situation for all involved.”
“Before my diagnosis, I was a chronic speed demon. I would often bump into and scuff other cars… My inattention put me and others at risk for harm. I wish law enforcement knew about health care disparities and the under-diagnosis of ADHD. Criminalizing people for a disease is cruel behavior.”
“I was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in 1993 and 1994. We now know how PMDD can impact ADHD and how untreated ADHD can look like ODD or be comorbid. None of that was considered 30 years ago for a female. I also masked well and was considered a gifted student. I was very quick to challenge adults who I believed were wrong and I was quick to argue with anyone for anything. I got into trouble a lot. I wish law enforcement knew more about neurodivergent struggles with emotional regulation and utilized calm, compassionate methods before reacting.”
[Self-Test: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Symptoms]
Detained by Police? Follow These Steps
- First, pause. It’s important to not say the first thought that goes through your mind.
- Tell the officer you have ADHD. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you’re entitled to reasonable accommodations, including modified questioning, fidgets and frequent breaks, and access to your medication.
- Before you answer questions, make sure to have someone you trust, such as a lawyer or a family member, with you to figure out exactly what happened. You must be truthful and accurate with police, so if you are forgetful and have time-blindness, it’s essential to have a lawyer or trusted person with you for support.
Police Training and ADHD Awareness: Next Steps
- Q&A: ADA Information for the Recently Diagnosed
- Read: Crime, Punishment, and Redemption for My Son with ADHD
- Free Download: An In-Depth Guide to Inattentive ADHD
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