Improving Autism and Law Enforcement Interactions through ABA: Session 309 with Lyndsy Coffield

In Session 309, I welcome Dr. Lyndsy Coffield, Director of Client Success at Apollo Behavior, to share her unique journey in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and her groundbreaking work training law enforcement officers on autism awareness.

Dr. Coffield’s path into ABA began with an undergraduate degree in speech pathology, later becoming an RBT and eventually a BCBA. Today, she oversees intake and marketing at a growing clinic network in Georgia while also dedicating her research to improving police interactions with individuals on the autism spectrum.

This episode explores the intersection of ABA careers, autism, and law enforcement training, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that come with bridging these worlds.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Entering the ABA Field

• Dr. Coffield’s journey from speech pathology to becoming a BCBA.
• Her leadership role at Apollo and overseeing client success in a multi-clinic system.

Understanding Law Enforcement Culture

• Why credibility matters when teaching law enforcement officers about autism.
• Parallels between gaining parents’ trust in ABA and gaining officers’ trust in training.

Police Academy Experiences

• Dr. Coffield’s firsthand experiences at a Citizens Police Academy: ride-alongs, call centers, and unit training.
• Surprising insights into the hidden volume of crime and emergencies in her community.

Autism and Law Enforcement Training

• Common challenges officers face when interacting with individuals on the spectrum.
• Misinterpretations—such as stimming being mistaken for drug use—and how they can escalate situations.
• Practical strategies: slowing down, assessing intent, and waiting for backup when needed.

Applying Behavior Analysis to Autism Training

• How ABA principles help officers understand and support autistic individuals.
• Tips for officers: allowing response time, keeping safe distances, and recognizing autism traits.
• The Blue Envelope Project and other community initiatives improving interactions.

De-Escalation Training in Action

• A success story from Salem, NH, where effective autism training helped officers de-escalate high-risk encounters.
• Why calm, compassionate approaches make a lasting impact in policing.

Body Camera Footage as a Training Tool

• Dr. Coffield’s dissertation analysis of 10 body cam videos involving autistic individuals.
• Key officer behaviors that worked: patience, spacing, and communication.
• Why both lecture-based training and Behavioral Skills Training (BST) are equally effective.

Ongoing Autism and Law Enforcement Research

• Insights from Dr. Cofield’s dissertation (available on PubQuest).
• The need for additional studies and real-world ride-along experiences.
• Encouragement for ABA professionals to get involved in police training efforts.

Why This Conversation Matters

The intersection of autism, ABA, and law enforcement is a critical area where misunderstandings can have serious consequences. Dr. Cofield’s research and practical training insights provide a roadmap for safer, more empathetic, and more effective police interactions with autistic individuals.

Whether you’re an ABA professional, law enforcement officer, or advocate for the autism community, this episode offers practical takeaways and inspiration to make a difference.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Lyndsy's Dissertation
• The Blue Envelope Project
• Careers at Apollo Behavior
• Lyndsy's appearance on The Beyond the Science Podcast

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:

• Frontera. Consider taking a demo of Frontera's Assessment Builder and see how the ethical application of AI technologies can help you serve clients and save you time! Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you’ll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check it out!
• HRIC Recruting. Cut out the middleman and speak directly with Barbara Voss, who's been placing BCBAs in great jobs all across the US for 15 years.
• CEUs from Behavioral Observations. Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here.
• The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, Motivational Interviewing: Getting Educator Buy-In.
• The inaugural ABA CON CEU cruise, which launches on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas from February 16–20, 2026. Learn more about this cruise here