Autism awareness advocate partners with Maryland State Police [Video]

PIKESVILLE, Md. (DC News Now) — Maryland State Police (MSP) has forged a relationship with an advocate for those with developmental disabilities.

It has helped law enforcement in situations where autism may be a barrier to communication. Advocate Alex Mann is working with MSP to overcome these challenges.

“Autism is a vast spectrum of a disorder,” said Mann. “It may range from having severe symptoms to not being able to speak at all to just having a hard time communicating.”

Alex explains to law enforcement that “they might have some sort of intellectual disability that we can possibly help them with.”

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This relationship with the police is paying off.

“During interactions, you know, we pick up on certain cues and comfort them and we hope to have the best outcome possible,” said PFC Matt Hughes with MSP.

“This just highlights our relationship with those that are on the autism spectrum and those that may …