Misunderstood: Autism, Police Encounters, and the Tragic Death of Chase De Balinhard

On February 9, 2025, 15-year-old Chase De Balinhard, a young autistic teen, tragically died after a police encounter in Surrey, British Columbia. According to reports by the RCMP, they responded to an incident involving Chase supposedly carrying a "weapon" at a local school. However, Chase’s mother revealed that the "weapon" was actually an unloaded pellet gun, part of Chase’s role-playing activities for silly videos. He wasn’t aggressive, nor did he pose a genuine threat.

Surveillance footage shows heavily armed officers attempting to negotiate with him. However, when Chase raised his arm, pointing the pellet gun, officers opened fire. Chase’s life ended far too soon.

Sadly, this kind of story isn’t new.

This Isn’t an Isolated Tragedy

Across North America, similar heartbreaking incidents have unfolded:

• Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old from Colorado, died after police tackled and restrained him while he was simply walking home.

• Regis Korchinski-Paquet, a neurodiverse woman, fell from a Toronto balcony during a police wellness check.

• Linden Cameron, a 13-year-old autistic boy from Utah, was shot multiple times during a mental health crisis.

Before diving too deep into media narratives about Chase’s death, it's crucial to realize: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often one of the most misunderstood and mischaracterized conditions out there.

Common stereotypes you might’ve heard?

• Autistic people lack empathy.

• Autistic kids "don't know better," so they must be restrained.

• Autistic teens who engage in pretend play are "immature" or even "creepy."

Sound familiar? It’s these dangerous myths that can escalate everyday situations into full-blown tragedies.

Why Are Autistic Kids Seen as Threats Instead of Vulnerable?

The truth? Misunderstanding autism makes autistic individuals seem threatening when they’re simply navigating the world differently. Rather than seeing autistic behavior as a form of communication or self-regulation, too often it's misinterpreted as defiance, aggression, or instability.

That misconception killed Chase.

It’s a tragedy—but also an urgent call to do better.

Educators and the Neurodiversity Gap

In the last decade, the neurodiversity movement—much like the LGBTQ movement before it—has pushed for acceptance, not just tolerance. But many educators still haven't caught up.

Instead of recognizing behaviors like:

• Self-stimulation (stimming)

• Avoidance of eye contact

• Solo or imaginative play

As natural, teachers and aides sometimes label them as signs of immaturity or potential danger.

Picture this: A 10-year-old still loves Hungry Hungry Hippos. A 15-year-old role-plays with a toy gun, imagining secret missions. These aren't signs of violence—they're different ways of understanding the world.

Without trauma-informed and autism-informed training, even the most well-meaning educators can misinterpret these behaviors, escalating the situation rather than de-escalating it.

Still, it’s essential to also teach autistic kids about the social context of their behaviors—because the world, unfortunately, is not always understanding.

Police and the Community: A Training Crisis

Now, let’s talk about law enforcement.

Police officers are trained for a lot—but autism-specific training? Practically nonexistent in most departments.

Here’s the kicker:

Autistic behaviors like:

• Not responding to verbal commands immediately

• Fidgeting

• Repeating phrases (echolalia)

can be mistaken for signs of noncompliance, aggression, or instability by untrained officers. And without the right tools, force becomes the default.

What should happen instead?

• De-escalation tactics

• Non-lethal force options like tasers

• Understanding sensory overload and how to approach calmly

Without these tools, encounters that could end peacefully, end in tragedy.

Parents, Puberty, and Sensory Needs

Parents—we get it. Raising an autistic child is a beautiful, challenging journey.

But here’s something we don't talk about enough:

Autism evolves.

A 7-year-old might be clingy, needing support with daily tasks. A 15-year-old, though, is grappling with puberty, boundaries, and sensory exploration.

Without proper guidance, an autistic teen might:

• Touch someone’s clothing because it feels comforting

• Engage in pretend play that seems "too young" for their age

To an outsider, these actions can be misread—and criminalized.

This doesn't mean excusing inappropriate behavior. It means teaching context, boundaries, and personal safety before misunderstandings occur.

Pretend Play and “Age Appropriateness”

Another harmful myth? That pretend play is "childish" and inappropriate for teenagers.

Reality check:

Many autistic teens love role-playing or imaginative games. And honestly? So do many neurotypical teens—it’s just seen differently.

• A neurotypical 15-year-old pretending to be a spy? "Creative!"

• An autistic 15-year-old pretending with a BB gun? "Dangerous."

This double standard is not just unfair—it’s deadly.

In Chase’s case, a simple role-play moment was misread as a threat, not a game.

The Importance of Reviewing IEPs and Ethical ABA

Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) should never be static documents gathering dust on a shelf.

Kids grow. Needs change.

Regularly updating IEPs ensures students receive the right support at the right time.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), when done ethically and compassionately, isn’t about "fixing" autistic kids. It’s about teaching real-world skills like:

• Self-advocacy

• Social boundary recognition

• Crisis navigation

Done right, ABA empowers autistic individuals to thrive—not mask who they are.

Final Thoughts: Let’s Learn From Chase

The tragedy of Chase De Balinhard’s death isn't just a painful story—it’s a rallying cry for real, systemic change.

We need to:

• Demand autism-specific training for police.

• Equip teachers with trauma-informed, neurodiversity-informed education.

• Have honest conversations with autistic teens about puberty, safety, and pretend play.

• Challenge the harmful myths and stereotypes about autism.

  
  

Autistic kids aren’t broken. They’re not dangerous. They’re different—and different isn’t dangerous.

What happened to Chase should not have happened. He deserved support, understanding, and a future.

If this story resonates with you, please share it. Let’s honor Chase—not just as a memory, but as a reason to demand better.