As a Black Mother Raising a Black Son with Autism, I Hope More States Emulate Alabama's Initiative

As a mother of a child on the autism spectrum, I’ve often encountered misconceptions, like when people say, “He seems fine.” What does that even mean? While my son might look healthy—no sniffles or cough—internally, he is navigating complex feelings and environments that require extra effort from him and us as his parents. According to the Invisible Disabilities Association, an “invisible disability” refers to conditions that are not outwardly visible yet can significantly affect a person’s daily life.

We’ve worked diligently to equip him with skills for the world. For example, before new social encounters or family visits, we use pictures to help him prepare. However, as he matures, there will inevitably be unforeseen situations that we cannot anticipate or prepare him for.

My anxieties about how society perceives him loom large. With incidents of racial profiling and the often hasty reactions of law enforcement, I worry a police officer might misinterpret my son’s constant use of headphones—rendering him unable to hear commands—as defiance, leading to potential violence. At first glance, he might not appear to be on the spectrum, which raises the risk of him being misread as a threat.

These fears are ever-present for me as a Black mom raising a neurodiverse son in America. Thankfully, organizations like KultureCity are working to change this narrative. KultureCity is dedicated to educating communities about the sensory needs of individuals, promoting better interactions. In partnership with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, they’ve made Alabama the first state to require sensory-inclusive training for police officers. This initiative could pave the way for similar efforts in other states.

Understanding Sensory Issues

So, what are sensory issues? My son struggles with eye contact; if he makes it, it’s fleeting. He removes tags from his clothes and prefers wearing the same outfit consistently. He thrives on routine and experiences heightened anxiety with any changes. These sensory-related challenges are not unique to him; Uma, KultureCity’s executive director, emphasizes that one in six individuals in every community has sensory needs.

Although Alabama is leading the charge, I hope other states will follow suit. Governor Kay Ivey expressed pride in this initiative, aligning it with a broader commitment to prioritizing mental health and support for those in need.

In a particularly harrowing episode of the Netflix series Atypical, the main character, Sam, who has ASD, faces a frightening encounter with police. Watching it filled me with dread, as it mirrored the fears I have for my son.

Uma notes that individuals with invisible disabilities often react differently than neurotypical individuals due to sensory sensitivities. This can lead to misunderstandings in high-stress situations. Training like KultureCity’s can significantly improve outcomes during police interactions, especially given that Black males with autism are disproportionately at risk of fatal encounters with law enforcement.

This initiative could save lives. By improving understanding and training for officers, we can foster safer interactions for everyone involved. KultureCity is currently extending their sensory-inclusive training to over 21 cities, and we need more organizations like this to create awareness of diverse needs.

For those living with invisible disabilities, such training can make interactions with law enforcement more manageable. Such initiatives should be standard across all states, as they could literally be life-saving for neurodiverse individuals.

To learn more about sensory-inclusive training, visit KultureCity.

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Summary:

A Black mother shares her experiences raising a Black son with autism, highlighting the challenges of societal misconceptions and fears regarding police interactions. She expresses hope for improved training for law enforcement, as seen in Alabama’s initiative with KultureCity, which advocates for sensory-inclusive training to better support individuals with invisible disabilities.