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A Scoping Review of Research to Assist Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Interactions with Police

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Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this scoping review was to assess the methods and outcomes of interventions and exploratory research studies aimed at improving understanding of law enforcement experiences for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Methods

The authors conducted a scoping review of studies aimed at improving understanding of individuals with disabilities. We searched seven databases for articles published between 2016 and 2021. Search terms were “police” and “disabilities/disability.” The search yielded 798 articles and 13 were reviewed.

Results

Exploratory studies revealed that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities often did not understand the arrest process and/or legal proceedings. Interventions with police, focused on training, resulted in improvement in knowledge of mental health issues faced by individuals with disabilities. Explanation of procedures for interventions will facilitate replication and improvement of training. Results of educational interventions were equivocal. Experimental studies were by necessity often quasi-experimental in nature. Replication and improvement of interventions are needed to determine how to help individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Conclusions

It remains critical to understand how to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities understand the arrest process and legal proceedings. Having interpreters available and ensuring funding and policies for this are recommended. Police and staff in the legal system also will benefit from continued education about how to assist individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Assessment of training in empathy and understanding of mental health concerns and referral options in the community are some areas for future training for police and staff in the legal system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Promotion and Education Program, School of Human Services, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221-0068, USA

    Olutosin Sanyaolu, Afolakemi Olaniyan, Tabitha Naa Akuyea Addy & Laura Nabors

Authors
  1. Olutosin Sanyaolu
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  2. Afolakemi Olaniyan
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  3. Tabitha Naa Akuyea Addy
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  4. Laura Nabors
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the conceptualization, design, critique, and writing of this literature review. L. N. and O. S. conducted the literature review, while all authors reviewed abstracts and studies. All authors contributed to writing the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura Nabors.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Sanyaolu, O., Olaniyan, A., Naa Akuyea Addy, T. et al. A Scoping Review of Research to Assist Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Interactions with Police. Adv Neurodev Disord 6, 119–135 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-022-00240-2

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