So, should I register?

 So, Should I register?

 

Some local police departments are allowing families to register their children as being a person with a disability.  The registration is particularly appealing to some families of children on the autism spectrum since these young adults can often easily pass as typical.  But as in all things, there is good news and not so good news.

First the good part of the idea.   The thought behind the program is that if law enforcement knows that a person they stop has a disability that person will be handled differently than they might handle a more typical person.   Officers might even call in clinically trained personnel to assist.  This kind of intervention could prevent some of the tragic issues that have occurred when officer conduct has exacerbated the disability, creating behaviors that the officer finds threatening and therefore over reacts resulting in sometimes tragic results.

On the other hand, registering your child as a person with a disability assumes much that might not be in play.   The officer needs to be trained to recognize the observable behavioral components of the disability so the he/she knows to search the data base to determine if this individual is registered.  Next, the officer needs to be knowledgeable as to what to do once it is determined that the officer is dealing with a person with special needs.  In addition to establishing the data base, what are law enforcement organizations doing in the form of identification and training responses to people with disabilities.  Without very thorough training the data base is of little value.  Finally what will become of this data base?   How much and how long will it follow the child/adult and who besides law enforcement will have access to it?

Many adults on the spectrum hold good jobs that have significant responsibility connected to them.  If a perspective employer has access to this data base will people in the data base be excluded from jobs they might otherwise be able to do save for the misunderstanding and stigma attach to the label.  In looking to protect people on the autism spectrum are we also risking setting up barriers to future endeavors.

Finally, as an individual, knowledge of my disability is mine to disclose as I see fit.  Is it fair for my parents to disclose this information to a government database without my consent, knowledge or consideration of any future risk it may bring to me.

In making the decision, parents need to give careful consideration to the adult abilities of their children and the risk to others knowing about the disability.  As with many things, there needs to be a serious risk/benefit analysis.   Ideally the child should be part of answering the question – should I register my child.