Millions Of People Are Now Demanding Justice. Despite that, District Attorney Dave Young, who is handling the Elijah McClain case, issued a statement the next day reiterating the finding that “the evidence does not support the filing of homicide” against the officers who arrested McClain. Because autism is a spectrum, each person with autism is different and has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. *Author’s note: Mr. McClain’s family has not indicated that he had ASD or any other disability. Last August, a 23-year-old young man, Elijah McClain, was walking home from a convenience store close to his home in Aurora, Colorado. A variety of factors, including environmental, biological, and genetic factors, make a child more likely to develop ASD. The deaths of Floyd, Taylor, and Brooks spark calls to reopen cases like McClain’s and others, including those of Michael Ramos, who was fatally shot by police in Austin in April; Nicholas Perez, who was fatally shot by Houston police in April; and Modesto Reyes, a Black man who was shot to death by police in New Orleans suburb Jefferson Parish in May. This is especially true when the person with ASD is Black. McClain’s case and others show that the problem is far more troubling than most Americans realize. The cure will come too late for those who have already died, but hopefully — and urgently — will prevent many more Black men and women from dying in the future. ASD can be diagnosed as early as 18 months or even earlier. Unfortunately, many children do not receive a final diagnosis until age four or five, which delays their receiving the early help they need. You may opt-out by. Family, friends, legal counsel, local pastors and community organizers were calling for justice for the officer-involved death of his son Elijah McClain in front of the Aurora Municipal Center October 01, 2019. During the altercation with the police, Elijah can be heard sobbing, apologizing for vomiting after the police choked him, telling them that he doesn’t like being touched and is an introvert, and telling them he loves them. She talked about her fear about how others would see her tall Black son and, not seeing his “invisible disability,” might react in a way that could lead to his being harmed. Elijah McClain should be alive today, and we owe it to his family to take this step and elevate the pursuit of justice in his name to a statewide concern.”. This number does not include every police killing, and there are many critics who believe the FBI's numbers are woefully undercounted. He had just purchased some iced tea for his brother. Caregivers of those with ASD should, if possible, teach them how to safely interact with the police. He had just purchased some iced tea for his brother. In any event, it is clear that the United States has more than a modest affliction of police violence. Elijah McClain Died In Police Custody In August. Thanks to everyone who is taking their time to read this testimony on how my son was cured from Autism, he was diagnosed four years ago, and he is now 6, I have tried several treatments and medications on him, nothing is working out and I am so frustrated. The police may misinterpret the behavior of individuals with ASD as challenging or disrespectful, which may put them at risk for arrest and potentially injury. Children and adults with ASD are at greater risk for wandering, abduction, physical abuse, and general victimization because of their behavioral and communication differences. As she listened to the voice recordings of the encounter, she was moved to tears. They are also involved in interactions with the police as victims or suspects. Elijah was confronted by Aurora police officers in a 911 complaint August 24, 2019, a violent struggle ensued, Elijah became unconscious in the the struggle. Last August, a 23-year-old young man, Elijah McClain, was walking home from a convenience store close to his home in Aurora, Colorado. Dr. Kiragu is the medical director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Hennepin Healthcare. McClain died on August 30th, 2019, after the struggle of the roar of police officers. Diagnosing ASD can be difficult since there is no actual blood test. “I was moved by speaking with Elijah’s mother and her description of her son as a responsible and curious child who became a vegetarian to be healthier, and who could inspire the darkest soul,” Polis said in a statement. And that is a cure worth investigating, and fighting for. He did, however, tweeted say asked legal counsel to look into what the state can do. On one of the officers' body cameras, McClain is heard saying, "I'm an introvert, please respect the boundaries that I am speaking.". At the time, the cause of McClain’s death was described by the coroner as undetermined, but numerous questions remained about exactly how he died. Thank heavens for the advocacy of police educators like Dennis Debbaudt, who provides autism training for law enforcement and emergency responders across the U.S. With autism rates at 1 in 54, or higher, much more police education is needed. There is currently no cure for ASD. Family, friends, legal counsel, local pastors and community organizers were calling for justice for the officer-involved death of his son Elijah McClain in front of the Aurora Municipal Center October 01, 2019. The 23-year-old died in Colorado after police put him in a … Last summer, a 23-year-old Black man named Elijah McClain went to pick up iced tea for his brother in Aurora, Colorado, but he never made it home. A resident called the police because they thought he was acting suspiciously. However, early intervention treatment services lead to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism. There have also been calls to reopen older cases such as the 2019 deaths of Derrick Scott in Oklahoma City and Cameron Lamb in Kansas City, Missouri, both of which also occurred during police encounters. AURORA, CO - OCTOBER 01: LaWayne Mosley, father of Elijah McClain, wears a t-shirt with is son's ... [+] picture on it during a press conference in front of the Aurora Municipal Center October 01, 2019. picture on it during a press conference in front of the Aurora Municipal Center October 01, 2019. The fact that many of these cases have gone unnoticed and merit reopening investigations, and perhaps even criminal prosecutions, should serve as a wake up call of depth of this national crisis to both government leaders and citizens alike. Only by reopening cases like Elijah McClain’s and truly understanding both the causes and consequences of these deaths can America truly establish justice for those who have been killed by police. What happened to Elijah McClain should never again happen. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. While being transported to a hospital, he had a cardiac arrest. (Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNewsGroup/The Denver Post via Getty Images), EY & Citi On The Importance Of Resilience And Innovation, Impact 50: Investors Seeking Profit — And Pushing For Change, Michigan Economic Development Corporation BrandVoice.