Systemic Justice Initiatives and Disability Policy Education

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Our work includes supporting families, raising awareness, and driving meaningful change for individuals with developmental disabilities who encounter the criminal justice system. Through compassionate guidance, community connection, advocacy for legal reform, public education, and national collaboration, we work to ensure that every individual is treated with dignity, understanding, and fairness. Our efforts span from direct support for parents and caregivers to large‑scale policy initiatives, all grounded in a non‑political, non‑sectarian commitment to justice and inclusion.

Things We Do

1. Peer & Family Support

    • We provide prompt, focused support for families in crisis—ensuring they quickly access resources, understand their situation, and have clear expectations for the steps ahead.
    • We provide a monthly peer‑support group, Whine & Wine, where families and caregivers can share experiences and support one another.

2. Professional Educational Outreach

    • We provide specialized educational insights for professionals across the judicial, executive, and legislative branches, offering deeper psychological and behavioral context about the neurodivergent community.
    • We partner with licensed psychologists trained in Autism and with legal experts who deliver high‑quality educational presentations and seminars.  To bring this training to your court, agency, or legal team, contact us.
      • Our team equips judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys with the knowledge needed to better understand and appropriately respond to neurodivergent individuals.

3. Civic Engagement & Collaboration

    • We serve as a trusted educational resource for policymakers, community leaders, and the public nationwide, helping build understanding around developmental disabilities and disability‑informed justice.
    • Through clinical insight and lived experience, we contribute to state and national conversations that strengthen equitable, informed, and compassionate systems of support.
    • For a comprehensive overview of our advocacy work and enacted reforms, please refer to our Legislative Advocacy Achievements page.

4. Community & Media Engagement

  • We drive national awareness through radio, conferences, podcasts, webinars, presentations, and public discussions—and we are regularly invited to speak at local and national conferences to advance understanding of autism in the criminal justice system across all major media platforms. Learn more here.

5. Professional Partnerships

    • Collaborate with statewide and national DD organizations to advance solutions to criminal justice issues affecting individuals with developmental disabilities
    • Build partnerships with psychologists, lawyers, researchers, and professional organizations to amplify impact

6. Research Partnerships

    • Monthly Lesson Learned: Lead monthly case‑based training with psychologists from across the country, focusing on how autism intersects with criminal behavior and legal decision‑making.
    • Lead and coordinate research partnerships with the University of Virginia and Drexel University to advance understanding of autism in the criminal justice system.

7. Letters of Support

    • Prepare informational letters, when requested, that outline relevant clinical traits and behavioral considerations to assist stakeholders.

 

What we DO NOT do:

To ensure clarity and maintain our focus as an educational and peer-support organization, please note the following boundaries:

  • We do not handle or manage legal cases. We do not provide legal representation, nor do we intervene in or direct active legal defense strategies.
  • We do not provide legal or medical advice. The resources we provide and the personal experiences we share are strictly for educational and emotional support purposes. They should never be construed as legal counsel or a psychological diagnosis.
  • We do not operate outside our core focus of developmental disabilities. Our scope of support does not extend to matters involving severe psychosis, acute mental illness, Alzheimer’s, or family court matters such as divorce.
  • We are not responsible for the independent decisions individuals make, the legal strategies they pursue, or the outcomes of their legal proceedings.

 

What Makes us Different:

  • Passionate Advocacy: We are deeply committed to addressing injustices and helping society understand that individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly those with autism, are not criminals. Too often, they become entangled in the criminal justice system due to behaviors or traits associated with their autism, and we strive to ensure they receive the understanding and fair treatment they deserve.
  • Hands-On, Effective Support: We provide families with more than just referrals. Our hands-on assistance involves finding the right, proven resources to meet their needs. We vet every resource to the best of our ability, and stop referring individuals or organizations that are not effective.
  • Relentless Problem-Solving: We never say, “Sorry, we can’t help.” Instead, we push forward, taking on challenges that others avoid and working tirelessly to resolve even the toughest cases.
  • Collaborative Expertise: We have built strong relationships with experts and advocates nationwide, continually expanding and strengthening our network. By working with these professionals, we find resources to help parents and also collaborate with them to craft legislative solutions that drive meaningful change and ensure long-term impact.
  • Courage to Lead: We take on the most difficult cases, the challenges that others shy away from. We strive to assist every family who reaches out to us. However, if an issue falls outside of our area of expertise, we may not be able to get directly involved. In those cases, we will make every effort to connect you with the appropriate resources or referrals.