Autism Awareness in Correctional Facilities

PURPOSE OF COURSE: This course has been designed for the purpose of addressing the issue of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) as it specifically relates to people who are incarcerated in county jails. It is designed to provide information and understanding to officers as they provide for inmates who display signs and symptoms of this disorder.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Inmates who display signs and symptoms of ADS present unique challenges to the corrections system because of their presenting issues such as social communication, behavioral difficulties, and environmental sensory sensitivities. This course will provide officers with an understanding of ADS. Including signs and symptoms, the wide range of ADS, challenges within the jail system, appropriate responses to ADS inmates, measures for reducing facility disruption, symptom reduction techniques for ADS inmates, de-escalation approaches of ADS inmates and recommendations for an increase in officer sensitivity and knowledge.