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A dream for justice for individuals with autism

I have a dream that there will be fair treatment by the criminal justice system for people who have autism.

Specifically, this dream calls for the following:

• All individuals with autism must have the right to have the condition of autism be considered first, and the implications of having autism be considered primary to any action taken by the criminal justice system prior to prosecution.

• Individuals with autism must have the right to free and appropriate individualized resources (FAIR) to enable them to receive appropriate education and training in order that they not develop nor continue behavior that may be viewed as illegal.

• Proper training in the issues associated with the syndrome of autism must be provided to all individuals associated with the criminal justice system, including judges, juries, prosecutors, defense lawyers, law enforcement personnel, and any other forensic science investigators associated with a criminal justice action.

• Individuals with autism must have the right to have expert witnesses, who understand the disability of autism, available to them in a court of law.

• If prosecuted, an individual with autism must have his disability considered primary when sentencing is handed out, e.g., consideration of a secure residential autism treatment agency if incarceration is indicated.

• The criminal justice system must ensure the protection of the civil rights of the individual with autism should the individual be incarcerated in a correctional institution or other human service agency.

• Individuals with autism must be protected under the American's with Disabilities Act ensuring that their autism is not the reason for the conviction in a criminal justice action.

Please make this dream happen.

Joseph M. Jason

Buffalo Grove

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