Appearing in Court Social Story, Parts 1-3

Overview

These social stories were created to describe the various aspects of appearing in court to individuals with autism.

Part 1: The Courtroom

Graphic of a courthouse

If I break a law, I might go to court.

Graphic of an Attorney who will help you in court.

I will have an attorney to help me.

Graphic of a courtroom with a sign that says

Court is where decisions are made when a law is broken.

Graphic of a person testifying and a gavel slamming.

A courtroom is a busy place with lots of people, sounds, smells, and sights.

Graphic of a Judge sitting at his desk, he is saying

The judge is in charge of the courtroom.

Graphic of a woman and the words

The judge decides what happens to people who break the law.

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Part 2: Testifying

Graphic of an attorney meeting with a client to discuss the rules of court.

The attorney will help prepare me for court and understand the rules.

Graphic of a client and his Attorney sitting at the same desk in court.

I will sit at a table with my attorney in the courtroom.

Graphic of parents in the courtroom.

My parents can be in the courtroom with me.

Graphic of a man testifying at a podium.

If I am asked to speak that is called testifying.

Graphic of a person telling the truth in court.

I must tell the truth.

Graphic of a police officer putting hand cuffs on a person who lied in court.

If I don’t tell the truth that is breaking the law.

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Page 1 of 6

Part 3: After the Ruling

Graphic of a man telling the court that he is autistic.

It is okay to tell the Judge and my attorney I have autism.

Graphic of a man asking the judge to repeat the question.

It is ok to ask them to repeat things I don’t understand.

Graphic of a judge making his decision about the case.

When the Judge makes a decision this is called a ruling.

Graphic of a man accepting the ruling that the Judge has made.

I have to obey the Judge’s ruling even if I don’t like it.

Graphic of a piece of paper with the rules written on it.

The judge may send me home with specific rules I must follow.

Graphic of a group of people under one roof. they are learning how to stay out of trouble.

Or the judge may send me to a place to learn how to stay out of trouble.

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Page 1 of 6

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This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.