Judge Soonhee(Sunny) Bailey: Breaking the Cycle and Creating America's First Autism Court Program

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Judge Sonny Bailey shares how she created the nation's only court dedicated to helping autistic youth stay out of the criminal justice system.

What began in 2018 as a quieter courtroom for one overwhelmed teen has evolved into an innovative program with a 90% success rate, recently recognized through Nevada legislation as the country's first official neurodiversity specialty court.

• Autism court began accidentally when officers brought in an overwhelmed teen who needed a quieter environment

• Program uses applied behavioral analysis and positive reinforcement instead of punishment

• Success looks different for each youth—from college preparation to simply learning not to punch walls

• Late diagnosis (some at age 16+) means many youth missed years of early intervention

• Court addresses entire family system through parent training and consistent approaches

• 90% success rate with over 100 graduates since program began

• Program started with minimal resources—"a box of fruit snacks and chips"

• New legislation will expand services to include other forms of neurodiversity

• Many autistic youth are in foster care due to family breakdowns and behavioral challenges

• Parents should immediately alert legal authorities about a child's autism to ensure proper accommodations

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