Europe 1 with AFP 8:01 p.m., May 17, 2022

To improve the responsiveness of the police in the event of the disappearance of a person with autism or an intellectual disability, the government presented a device on Tuesday.

“The urgency” of these situations is notably reaffirmed in a circular sent to all gendarmerie brigades and police stations.

The government presented on Tuesday a device to improve the responsiveness of the police in the event of the disappearance of a person with autism or an intellectual disability, a frequent scenario which can give rise to drama.

A circular was sent in April to all gendarmerie brigades and police stations to "reaffirm the urgency" of these situations, the interministerial delegation responsible for the strategy for autism said in a statement.

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Increased risks

A person with an autistic or intellectual disorder is "likely to get lost more easily" and to "put themselves in danger", especially since they may not be able to declare themselves lost and ask for directions.

It can be attracted to specific places, a body of water, a railway line, etc., hence a significant risk of drowning or train accident, the delegation underlined.

Recently, two young autistic people died after a disappearance, in 2019 and 2021.

However, police or gendarmes, like the whole of the population, know little or badly autism and do not always measure the urgency of the situation, one explains in the entourage of the interministerial delegate, Claire Compagnon.

Whether the person is a minor or an adult, the search must be launched "immediately", and for their part, the families or reception establishments must not hesitate to report the disappearance as soon as possible.

Caregivers invited to complete an information sheet

At the same time, caregivers and establishments are encouraged to complete an information sheet on the person they are accompanying in advance, with details that may prove decisive in the event of disappearance.

Does the person "support physical contact", does he have "favorite places" where he could take refuge, what are his "atypical behaviors", by what "soothing gestures and words" can one enter into contact with her?

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"In the event of disappearance, the relatives only have to add the last place where the person was seen and their dress for the day and to give the form to the gendarmes or the police", who will thus be able to "adapt their behavior and interventions" once the person is located, explain the promoters of the device.

As an additional precaution, they point out, families can also "equip their loved one with a suitable geolocation system".