Crisis Services
ASERT does not offer crisis services through our Resource Center. If you or someone you love is experiencing mental health distress or thoughts of suicide please call or text 988 for support.
Pat Down Searches - What to Expect Social Story
Overview
These social stories were created to describe the process of pat down searches and what to expect for individuals with autism.
If I am stopped by the police, a police officer may do a pat down search.
A pat down search is a search of a person’s body and outer clothing.
The police officer does a pat down search to make sure I do not have anything that could be used to hurt myself or someone else (like a gun or a knife).
It’s my choice if I want to tell the police officer that I have autism.
I should follow all instructions that the police officer gives me.
I should keep my hands out of my pockets so the police officer can see my hands at all times.
The police officer may ask me to put my hands on a wall and to spread my legs apart.
The police officer will use their hands to feel around the waistband of my pants.
The police officer will use their hands along my arms on the outside of my clothing.
The police officer will use their hands along my legs on the outside of my clothing.
The police officer will use their hands to check my pockets. They will take away anything from my pocket or my person that is illegal or could be used to hurt someone or hurt myself.
After the pat down search, the police officer will tell me if I can I go home or if I am being charged with a crime.
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This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.