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The Law Social Story, Parts 1-4

Overview

These social stories were created to describe the various aspects of the law and justice system to individuals with autism.

What is the Law?

Breaking the Law

Getting Arrested and Transport

In the Police Station

Part 1: What is the law?

graphics of a gravel and a courthouse

Laws are rules I have to follow.

A boy giving a thumbs up.

Many of these laws are in place to keep me safe.

A boy standing next to a police officer.

Police Officers make sure I follow the laws and keep me safe.

A masked person, dressed in black, with a crowbar

Sometimes laws are not followed on purpose.

A worried-looking man with his hands on his head.

Sometimes laws are not followed by mistake.

A person in a green hoodie being handcuffed by a police officer.

This is called breaking the law.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6

Part 2: Breaking the law

A man with a bag full of money being chased by a police officer.

If I break the law, on purpose or by accident, it is a police officer's job to make sure that I do not break the law again.

A boy in a jail cell

If I break the law, by accident or on purpose, a police officer may arrest me.

A boy in a jail cell

The police officer will read me rules about what I can say or do. One thing I should NEVER do is touch a police officer or his equipment.

A confused-looking boy shrugging his shoulders.

The police officer may use language you don't understand.

A confused-looking boy shrugging his shoulders.

If I don't understand the rules it is okay to not say anything or ask questions.

A worried-looking boy using a cell phone.

I can ask to call someone I trust.

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Page 1 of 6

Part 3: Getting arrested & transport

hands in handcuffs

The laws say the police officer may put handcuffs on me. The handcuffs will feel cold and hard.

Police officer using a magnetic wand to search a man

An officer may search my body to make sure I don't have anything on me that could be harmful.

A police officer unlocking handcuffs

The police officer has a key to take the handcuffs off me. The police officer may remove the handcuffs once the situation is safe.

A man sitting in the back of a police car

The police officer may put me in his police car to take me to the police station.

The front end of a police car

The police car has lights that are bright and a siren that is loud. Police cars are also meant to keep me, the police and the community safe.

A man and a police officer standing outside of a police car

Once we get to the police station, the officer will let me out of the police car.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6

Part 4: In the police station

A boy stands under a bright light with sound waves above his head.

The police station may be loud and bright.

A man standing alone in a quiet room

I can ask for a quiet space.

A police officer saying,

The police officer will want to ask me questions like my name, where I live, who I live with and why I did not follow the law.

A man saying,

It's my choice if I want to tell the police officer that I have autism.

A man standing beside his female attorney who is talking to a police officer.

I don't have to answer the police officer until my parents or an attorney are present.

graphic of an attorney and a judge

An attorney is someone who understands the law and can help me and my family in court.

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Page 1 of 6

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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.