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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer an overview of hate crime relating to people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Design/methodology/approach This is a discussion outlining some of the key evidence relating to ASD and hate crime. Findings For too long the issue of hate crime and autism has been neglected in spite of significant numbers of people with ASDs experiencing hate crime and/or harassment on a regular basis. Originality/value Although people with ASD are thought to be subject to high rates of hate crimes the literature is sparse when compared to other strands of hate crime such as race or religion.