The Prevalence and Correlates of Involvement in the Criminal Justice System Among Youth on the Autism Spectrum.

Julianna et al. (2017) asked a national sample of autistic youth about police contact. They used a big government survey that tracks kids over time. The team looked at who had been stopped or arrested by age 21.

They also asked parents about behavior. They wanted to know if kids who act out are more likely to meet police.

One in five autistic youth had been questioned by police. One in twenty had been arrested. Kids with hitting, yelling, or running-away behavior faced the highest risk.

The numbers come from parent reports, not court records. Still, they show justice contact is common.

Yu et al. (2021) seems to disagree. They found only 3 % of young autistic adults were ever charged. The gap is simple: Yue looked at ages 18-25 and used official court data. Julianna asked parents of 14-21-year-olds to recall any police stop, even if no charge followed.

Burack et al. (2004) help explain why externalizing behavior matters. They showed autistic teens with severe ID have five times more behavior disorders. More behavior disorders can mean more police calls.

Greenlee et al. (2024) add another piece. Their national survey found high anxiety and depression in autistic youth. When behavior and mental health mix, police contact may rise.

You can spot risk early. If a client hits, runs, or yells often, add safety plans that include police awareness. Share the youth’s diagnosis and de-escalation tips with caregivers and school staff. A quick handout or alert card can turn a police stop into a teachable moment, not a record.