A group of Pennsylvania judges gathered together for a virtual roundtable that focused on autism and the court system.
State Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty says that the judicial system is committed to learning more about the issue because it can help them better understand how to deal with those who have autism when they’re in the courtroom.
“There are still judges out there that are incarcerating individuals with autism,” Dougherty said. “There are still judges out there that are disrespecting families because we don’t know. And it cannot happen in the 21st century, and it should not happen in Pennsylvania.
Dougherty said he’s been determined to bring this issue to light ever since an experience inside a courtroom in which he was unaware a child was autistic and it impacted how he dealt with the hearing.