Officer uses paper, pencil to help child with non-verbal autism find family

STOCKTON, Cal. (WFLA) — A police officer in California used a paper and pencil to help a missing child with non-verbal autism find their family.

The Stockton Police Department said a community member notified their police department of a child near the downtown area who appeared “scared and confused.”

Shortly later, a downtown bike officer identified the child through a bus pass and learned the child had non-verbal autism. So to communicate with the child, the officer got down on his knees and handed the child a pencil and paper.

“Though this form of communication, the officer was able to locate a family member and the child was safely reunited with a relative,” the police department said.

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