Misunderstanding HD
In the course of serving and protecting the public, law enforcement officials often encounter unusual or dangerous behavior: agitation, confusion, aggression, problems with gait or motor control, and slurred or hard to understand speech. This conduct can indicate a number of medical conditions. Huntington’s disease is an example of a serious neurological disorder that can cause any or all of these symptoms. There have been documented cases of people with HD having difficult interactions with law enforcement because their symptoms are misidentified, misunderstood or mishandled. Sadly, there can be negative outcomes, including harm to the individual or even suicide; negative outcomes which may have been preventable.
HDSA’s Law Enforcement Training Guide
The HDSA Law Enforcement Training Guide purpose is threefold:
- To help law enforcement officials recognize the symptoms common to individuals with Huntington’s disease (HD)
- To provide suggestions for addressing behaviors associated with HD
- To recommend solutions that will end the encounter safely and successfully.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD DIGITAL GUIDE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD VIDEO PRESENTATION
FOR HD INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES:
Caregiver Guide & Support Documents
This booklet contains general guidelines for working with law enforcement, feedback regarding situations that may cause confrontations, and information about what to do in case of arrest or detainment.
DOWNLOADS:
CAREGIVER GUIDE: Click for a FREE PDF DOWNLOAD.
I have HD Card: A wallet card with information about HD.
My Crisis Template: A form that can be personalized with emergency numbers.
To order a hard copy of the Law Enforcement Tool Kit please fill out the form below
