Judge Kim Taylor:A Judge's Journey with Autism

04/21/25 • 26 min

Judge Kim Taylor shares her journey as a pioneering female judge and mother of a son with autism, revealing how personal experience fueled her advocacy for autism awareness in the criminal justice system.

Her work began after learning about Sidney Templeton, a young man with autism who died in police custody due to officers' lack of understanding about his condition.
• First woman elected as district court judge in Alexander-Iredell-Davie County in 1986
• Created a task force that made autism training mandatory for North Carolina law enforcement
• Developed educational resources including "Autism in the Criminal Justice System" video
• Expanded advocacy through "Safe and Sound" committee with the Autism Society of America
• Advocating for national legislation for more uniform autism training across jurisdictions
• Emphasizes prevention and diversion programs over incarceration for those with autism
• Identifies the need for compassion and understanding in the legal system
• Won her initial election by just 75 votes across four counties
• Highlights how perspective changes when issues affect someone personally
Tell everyone everywhere about Why Not Me: The World, the conversations we're having and the inspiration our guests give to everyone everywhere that you are not alone in this world.

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intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild
Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

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Previous Episode

Understanding Autism Through Music: An Acoustic Evening for a Cause

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We broadcast live from the Nashville Palace for a special remote podcast supporting "An Acoustic Evening for Autism," bringing together musicians who share their personal connections to autism awareness.
• Jamie O'Neill describes how having a cousin with autism inspired her participation in the benefit concert
• Jamie emphasizes the importance of slowing down in our fast-paced world to accommodate different needs
• Minnie Murphy reveals her 5-year-old son is on the autism spectrum, sharing his special abilities like perfect pitch
• Minnie performs original songs celebrating individuality and seeing the beauty others miss
• Both guests praise Vanderbilt's Kennedy Center for their exceptional work in autism research and treatment
• Our guests emphasize autism shouldn't be viewed as a permanent condition but as a different perspective
• The conversation highlights how patience, active listening, and embracing differences creates understanding
Tell everyone everywhere about Why Not Me? The World, the conversations we're having and the inspiration our guests give to everyone everywhere that you are not alone in this world.

Next Episode

Brian Shrader: How Autism is Misunderstood in the Legal System

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Brian Shrader, a criminal defense attorney with experience as both prosecutor and defender, exposes how the justice system profoundly fails people with autism and mental health conditions.
• Autism often leads to escalation during police encounters rather than directly causing criminal behavior
• Mental health training is virtually non-existent for lawyers, judges and prosecutors
• The system lacks procedures and resources for addressing mental health issues beyond addiction
• Mental health diversion programs have extensive waitlists while jails provide no treatment
• First responders frequently misinterpret autism behaviors as drug-related symptoms
• Public defenders and prosecutors are overwhelmed with caseloads, making individual attention impossible
• Addressing these issues requires federal and state-level policy changes
• Many legal professionals care but lack the tools and training to help effectively
Tell everyone everywhere about Why Not Me The World, the conversations we're having and the inspiration our guests give to everyone everywhere that you are not alone in this world.