Up First from NPR Defending the Disabled
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Jan 18, 2026 
Meg Anderson, an NPR criminal justice correspondent, and Noah Cox, a public defender in L.A. who created a specialized unit for defendants with cognitive impairments, dive deep into the intersection of cognitive disabilities and the criminal justice system. They discuss alarming trends among defendants struggling with basic questions due to undiagnosed impairments. The podcast highlights a groundbreaking unit aimed at providing support to ensure these individuals receive appropriate care and alternatives to incarceration, showcasing the potential for diversion programs to transform lives.
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Undiagnosed Cognitive Disabilities Are Common
- Many people in the criminal justice system have cognitive disabilities that affect thinking, memory, and problem solving.
- Meg Anderson and Noah Cox found these impairments are common but often unrecognized, worsening legal outcomes.
Client Struggles Sparked A New Focus
- Noah Cox noticed clients struggling to answer basic questions like "Where were you that day?" in his public defender office.
- That pattern led him to investigate cognitive impairments among his clients.
Set Up Low-Cost Identification Pathways
- Create a referral and free-testing pathway so defenders can identify cognitive impairments early.
- Use graduate students and reallocated resources to provide initial assessments without extra budget.