autism

This webinar will examine the concept of traumatic stress as it relates to children and adolescents who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This webinar is meant to be a second part to Dr. Wesley Dotson’s discussion on ASD. As a result, the focus will not be on ASD but on ASD and trauma. The webinar will start with the basics of trauma-informed care for children and adolescents, as well as how trauma and stress responses affect a person’s neurology and how to regulate this response more efficiently.

NCCJD created this subcommittee due to a growing number of information and referral calls about sex offender charges, but no where to refer people to. The committee quickly jumped from 5 to over 40 people on the subcommittee. NCCJD is looking for creative ways for the subcommittee members (made up of both families and professionals) to continue communicate on an ongoing basis, create and achieve mutual goals, and help other families in their same situation).

Due to a growing number of information and referral calls coming into NCCJD about sex offender issues, the Center created a subcommittee on the topic formed by parents of teens or adult children who have been charged with a sex offense or are on the sex offender registry. NCCJD is supporting the committee to organize on this issue and provides technical assistance in this effort. To date a total of 5 individuals have joined the subcommittee (June 2016).

NCCJD staff presented at JMHCP at the request of BJA staff. NCCJD presented on issues and challenges faced by people with I/DD in the criminal justice system and provided an overview of how the creation of Disability Response Teams and using the Pathways to Justice training can address these challenges; improving outcomes not only for people with disabilities, but for all criminal justice professionals.

NCCJD staff reviewed Arlington Police Department's Mental Health Update training to ensure people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as autism, were included in the training. As a result, the title of the training changed from “Mental Health” update training to “Mental Health/Mental Illness and IDD training.

NCCJD staff facilitated an in-person focus group meeting with Fort Worth Police Department with support from DOJ's National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice. The purpose of this focus group/meeting is to examine potential partnerships and needs related to mental health and disabilities (specifically looking at Mental Illness and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities) in Fort Worth and is related to the National Initiative.

The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability™ (NCCJD) recently published a white paper and hosted a webinar on sex offenders with I/DD, and noted an overwhelming need for this information nationwide. In response to the high demand for information, NCCJD brings you an addendum and accompanying webinar, specifically identifying the problems occurring as a result of autism spectrum disorder and lack of sexual education.