People with autism, intellectual, and/or other developmental disabilities come in contact with the criminal justice system just as individuals without disabilities. However, when this population experiences this complex system, it can become more complicated to navigate. For example, professionals in the justice system field who represent, charge, or convict individuals with disabilities, they may not have the skills to identify and/or understand their symptoms, actions, and behaviors that coincide with their disability or diagnosis. 

This section is designed to provide information, trainings, and resources about the justice system and disability laws to help individuals with autism, intellectual, and/or other developmental disabilities, their families, supporters, and advocates. Additionally, these trainings and resources can be used to train and educate justice system professionals to learn how to support someone with autism.

 At the end of each module, you will receive a Certificate of Completion.


Identifying Risk

Learning how to identify potential risks is the first step in helping divert individuals away from engagement with the justice system as well as continue supporting individuals who may already be engaged with the justice system.

This module, developed by ODP, will explore the different factors of risk and strategies.

Risk Mitigation

Assuring the health, safety, and well-being of the individuals we support is an integral part of the work that we do. It is particularly critical when there are risk factors present that may increase the likelihood that an individual may become involved in the justice system, or if there is current involvement with the justice system. 

This module, developed by ODP, will explore how to identify and mitigate risks. 

Justice Process

The justice process can be a complex and difficult system to navigate. To assist in providing clarification, ODP developed the Justice Process and Intervention Opportunity Map.

This module will use the ODP Justice Process Intervention Opportunity Map to provide a hands-on way of learning about the justice system as well as the steps where supporters can intervene and advocate, through visuals, examples and questions.

Risk Mitigation: Using Collaboration to Mitigate Risks of Individuals Entering the Justice System

When an individual with autism enters the justice system their support team may feel that nothing could have prevented the circumstances from occurring. However, this may not be entirely true. This presentation will explore how support teams can pro-actively identify risks and discuss strategies that can be implemented with the individuals they are supporting, in order to mitigate risks that decrease the likelihood of entering the criminal justice system.

Credit Hours: 1.75 hour

Tracing the Steps of Individuals in the Justice System: Using and Understanding Docket Sheets

Have you ever worked with someone who has been arrested or had charges pressed? Do you know where to find docket sheets and how to reach them? Docket sheets are a valuable way to review someone's legal details as well as identify where individuals are in the process. This training will walk through information on how to read and use docket sheets to better support individuals on your caseload.