In the recent months there has been increased public awareness and acknowledgement of police brutality toward BIPOC. Individuals’ stories have been brought to the forefront, some of which involve individuals who identify as, or may have been, neurodivergent.

Well known examples of neurodivergence would be Autism and ADHD. Sometimes mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are also placed under the neurodiversity umbrella.

Being neurodivergent, simply means one’s brain works differently than is typical. Our neurology is just a bit different. This can affect how we perceive the world, and our outward behavior. Stressful situations, such as an encounter with law enforcement or a health emergency, make it harder to regulate ourselves and look “normal”. Many times, in these stressful situations, neurodivergent people are thought to be on drugs or acting in a violent manner. This is rarely the case.

Neurodivergent individuals are more likely to be arrested, incarcerated, or die at the hands of law enforcement –and for BIPOC that risk is even greater.

The acceptance, equality, and ethical treatment of all individuals cannot exist until we address the injustices occurring between law enforcement and neurodivergent individuals, especially BIPOC.

It is important that law enforcement officers and first responders are able and willing to treat all individuals they encounter in a respectful manner; taking into consideration potential neurologic differences.

To achieve this, federal and state laws mandating sensitivity and implicit bias training must be developed or revamped, and in doing so there must be inclusion of material on neurodiversity. This training should include guidance on when it would be appropriate to refer an individual to a case manager, or other professional who can advocate in the person’s best interest and connect them with any needed supports.

When developing many types of training, including related to neurodiversity, cultural sensitivity, and implicit bias, it is important to remember research show that a one-time event typically does not cause long lasting change. Long lasting change involves changing culture, and to do this means the topic will need revisited on a frequent basis –on both formal and informal levels.

Thus, laws mandating training, should provide some specific requirements on frequency. We propose the bare minimum would be yearly training with specific criteria of what is included. Professionals in the field of psychology and neurodiversity, neurodivergent individuals, and BIPOC should be consulted when developing the curriculum.

Please take a moment to support this movement and prevent more situations like those encountered by Matthew Rushin, Osime Brown, Elijah McClain, and Saraya Rees.

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There is now an informational packet which can be shared as a Google Doc publicly. It contains all of the information for Matthew, Osime, Elijah, and Saraya. See below:

Info Sheet for Osime, Matthew, Elijah & Saraya

Direct links to their individual petitions (PLEASE SIGN) are below:

Osime Brown​

Matthew Rushin​

Elijah McClain​

Saraya Rees

If you're reading this, please take a moment to read the information in the Google Doc, and at the very least sign their individual petitions.

These young people, and their families, need everyone's continued support to be brought home, and have all charges dropped.

Elijah's killers have still not been arrested, or charged.

Matthew needs a complete pardon, and immediate release. He is severely ill, and needs surgery. The conditions inside his facility are only exacerbating his health issues. He is fighting for his life.

Osime also needs a complete pardon, and immediate release. He too, is extremely ill, is not receiving proper care, and the conditions inside his facility are exacerbating his health issues. (Are you seeing the pattern?) He is also facing deportation to Jamaica, a country he has not been to since he was 4. He has no support system there, and the people there are not kind to those with mental health issues or developmental disabilities. He could die out there without proper supports.

And last, but certainly not least, Saraya. Saraya, too, needs a complete pardon, and immediate release. She is trapped in a facility that has been reported to have twice the national average of sexual assault incidents, and has suffered at the hands of the other inmates. She is not receiving any of the rehabilitative mental health supports that she needs.

One last note on these 4 individuals: ALL OF THESE BRIGHT, BEAUTIFUL YOUNG PEOPLE ARE INNOCENT. They are victims of systemic racism & ableism.

They're the reason I've started this petition. With better regulation, and training, all public emergency personnel will have zero excuses by way of ignorance, for the mistreatment anyone who stands under the neurodiversity umbrella.  At that point, all they'll have to hide behind is prejudice, and the days of rampant, unchecked prejudice are numbered.