Bridging the Gap—Helping a Child Understand the Court Process: Manny

Manny, a 14-year-old with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), became involved with the Juvenile Court following a domestic assault and battery charge against his mother. She had contacted police during a violent incident at home in which he became aggressive toward her. When he appeared at Juvenile Court, Manny’s court-appointed attorney requested a Competency to Stand Trial (CST) evaluation after he became unresponsive and was unable to engage during her attempts to meet with him.

Difficulties at an Early Age

Manny was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at age three, presenting with reduced social responsiveness, sensory hypersensitivity, and restricted repetitive behaviors. Despite average intellectual functioning, he showed difficulty with impulsivity, emotional regulation, and perspective taking.

Manny’s school team recognized early that he required a highly structured environment. He was placed in a smaller setting with a consistent schedule and a dedicated paraprofessional who helped him interpret new situations and adjust to shifting circumstances. Outside of school, however, his environment was far less predictable. When expectations went unmet or desires were thwarted, he had limited capacity to process, reframe, and respond flexibly. The court setting proved especially overwhelming. When faced with an unfamiliar environment and new authority figures, Manny shut down entirely.

Working with the Juvenile Court Clinician

Through two CST interviews with the Juvenile Court Clinic forensic psychologist, Manny developed a working understanding of the court process, including the roles of key participants and the sequence of proceedings. He was given the opportunity to visit a courtroom to build familiarity with the space and the participants and reduce his anxiety. His natural curiosity and motivation to learn supported his engagement, particularly when a trusted adult was present.

With guidance from the Juvenile Court Clinic forensic psychologist, Manny’s defense attorney restructured her approach and met with Manny and his mother in a more supportive and predictable manner. This allowed Manny to meaningfully participate in his case and ultimately collaborate with the District Attorney’s office in developing a plan aimed at diverting him from further Juvenile Court involvement. The Juvenile Court Clinic’s CST evaluation brought crucial information to light and significantly improved Manny’s understanding and participation in the court process.

To protect confidentiality, MAJCC does not use real names or identifying features in case examples.

---

1 A Competency to Stand Trial (CST) evaluation is ordered by a Juvenile Court Judge to determine whether the defendant has a rational and factual understanding of the charges against them and the Court proceedings and can work with their lawyer to assist in their own defense.