CASE STUDY Clarity and predictability are key
The client was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and required support for day-to-day activities.
Upon arrival at the police station, the Communication Partner noted the client had difficulty making eye contact and was not interacting with police officers. The Communication Partner built rapport with the client by showing him the interview room and explaining the recording devices. This enabled the client to become familiar with the interview space.
The Communication Partner also showed the client some sensory items from our tool kit. The client responded enthusiastically to a knitted sleeve containing sensory objects. The sensory items and rapport-building seemed to make the client more comfortable and he began to interact and communicate. The client was then asked about what he would find difficult in this meeting and said that if he was
stressed, he would shake his head rapidly. He said that he just needs time to relax again by shaking and then he can think and answer the question. The interviewer reassured the client that she would be attentive and patient during his stress response.
A list or agenda of what to expect in the interview was written down and the client crossed each one out as the interview progressed:
1. Settle in by talking about something not related to the meeting today
2. Questions about the incident 3. Break – drink or snack
4. More questions about the incident 5. Break – drink or snack
6. More questions about the incident 7. Finish interview
The client was able to complete this interview and provide evidence.
Go to Court waiting room video room talk to judge talk to lawyer
lunch time
The Advocates Gateway Toolkit 14 contains ‘Good Practice Examples’ of using visual aids to assist people with communication needs to predict what will happen when, such as this one: “A defendant with autism was greatly helped by knowing exactly where he was in the trial. A pictorial and written order of the trial was made with simple explanations of each phase, i.e. jury swearing in, opening speech, evidence in chief, cross-examination, etc. He was able to tick off on a side column when each stage had finished. The intermediary liaised with the barristers in order to keep the timetable accurate”.
https://www.theadvocatesgateway.org/images/toolkits/14- using-communication-aids-in-the-criminal-justice-system-2015.pdf
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