Autism spectrum disorders and offending

Gunasekaran, Santhana; Chaplin, Eddie

doi:10.1108/20441281211285955

Cited by 19 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(23 reference statements)

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“…In particular they are believed to increase the incidence of offending behaviour in the context of concurrent social difficulties (Palermo, 2003 Different views have been expressed on the degree of association between autistic features and violence in people with ASD (Gunasekaran and Chaplin, 2012). Fewer data are available in the case of patients presenting with both ASD and learning disability.…”

Section: Asd and Offending Behaviour: Brief Overviewmentioning

confidence: 98%

Adults with autism spectrum disorder and learning disability presenting with challenging behaviour: how tolerant should we be?

Raggi

Xenitidis

Moisan

et al. 2013

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour

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PurposeReporting to the police incidents of challenging behaviour displayed by inpatients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and learning disability (LD) represents an important but often controversial issue. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to this topic through a brief literature review and the presentation of a clinical case.Design/methodology/approachCase study and literature review.FindingsThe action of reporting to the police can be a useful tool within the therapeutic input provided to patients with ASD and LD who present with challenging behaviour. This can enable staff to feel legally supported, and can promote patients’ learning of social rules, in respect of their rights and duties. The clinical case highlighted that reporting to the police can be effective when it is part of a comprehensive, multi‐professional therapeutic process. This should aim at directing patients towards rehabilitation rather than incarceration. This should also entail the identification of clear pathways and ongoing involvement of patients and families.Originality/valueDespite the relevance for clinical practice of the above debate, little has been published on this topic. This paper contributes to this discussion through the presentation of a clinical case and by describing how this issue was addressed within a secure inpatient setting.

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Section: Asd and Offending Behaviour: Brief Overviewmentioning

confidence: 98%

Adults with autism spectrum disorder and learning disability presenting with challenging behaviour: how tolerant should we be?

Raggi

Xenitidis

Moisan

et al. 2013

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour

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show abstract

“…Correspondingly, an association between ASD and antisocial and offensive behavior (e.g., severe violent and sexual crimes; often directed toward caregivers) has also been reported [Lai et al, 2014;S€ oderstr€ om Anckars€ ater, 2005;Woodbury-Smith, Clare, Holland, Kearns, Staufenberg, & Watson, 2005]. In contrast to these studies, others have questioned higher violence rates in patients with ASD by relating this prevalence to ASD's comorbidities such as oppositional defiant disorder [Gunasekaran & Chaplin, 2012]. Notably, social dysfunctions, frequently observed in ASD, could in part explain and lead to aggressive and also criminal behavior [de Vignemont & Singer, 2006;Haskins & Silva, 2006].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reduced Responsiveness to Social Provocation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

et al. 2015

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Deficits in emotion processing and social interaction are prominent symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD has also been associated with aggressive tendencies towards self and others. The prevalence of aggressive behavior in this disorder, its etiology and its impact on social life are still unclear. This study investigated behavioral and physiological effects of social provocation in patients with ASD and healthy controls. We used a modified Taylor Aggression Paradigm in 24 high-functioning patients with ASD and 24 healthy controls. Participants were instructed to play against a fictitious human opponent. Money withdrawals toward the participant represented provocation and money deduction by the participant denoted aggressive behavior. Throughout the measurement, electrodermal activity (EDA) was recorded. Healthy controls showed higher aggressive responses to high provocation compared to low provocation, which demonstrated the effectiveness of the used procedure in eliciting aggression. Patients' responses were not influenced by the level of social provocation, although in both groups aggression was higher after lost compared to won trials. Physiologically, controls showed fewer but higher EDA amplitudes when responding aggressively, whereas patients displayed the opposite pattern of more but lower EDA amplitudes. The modified Taylor Aggression Paradigm successfully elicited aggression and revealed different behavioral and neurophysiological responses in patients and healthy controls. Patients' aggressive behavior as well as their physiological responses were less modulated by level of provocation compared to controls. Therapeutic attempts for patients might concentrate on improving empathic abilities and the understanding of social situations, including provocation and aggressive behavior.

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“…(2008) agreed that any speculated link between hfASDs and criminal offending is heavily influenced by the dramatic way in which certain cases have been reported in and by the media. Gunasekaran and Chaplin (2012) cited that media reporting often insinuates that notorious or lurid crimes by those with ASDs are perpetrated due to the disorder without any other information to support that conjecture; often crimes are reported in a fashion that makes it seem that a person must be “mentally unwell” or autistic to have committed the crimes ( Gunasekaren and Chaplin 2012 ; Wessley 2012 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Judicial Perceptions of Media Portrayals of Offenders with High Functioning Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Berryessa¹

2014

Int. J. Criminol. Sociol.

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In recent years, sensational media reporting focusing on crimes committed by those diagnosed with or thought to have High Functioning Autistic Spectrum Disorders (hfASDs) has caused societal speculation that there is a link between the disorder and violent criminality. No research exists on how and if the judiciary understands and is affected by this coverage. Therefore this study aims to examine how judges perceive and are influenced by media attention surrounding hfASDs and criminality. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 California Superior Court Judges, including questions on media portrayal. Judges perceived general media portrayals of hfASDs in both positive and negative ways. However, almost all judges who had experienced media coverage surrounding hfASDs and criminality identified it as misleading and harmful to public perceptions of the disorder. These findings suggest judges are not exempt from media attention surrounding violence and hfASDs, and they recognize the potential adverse effects of this negative coverage. Although judges’ report their opinions are not affected, the results demonstrate that judges are worried that the public and potentially other criminal justice actors are adversely affected and will continue to be moving forward.

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Autism spectrum disorders and offending

Cited by 19 publications

References 19 publications

Adults with autism spectrum disorder and learning disability presenting with challenging behaviour: how tolerant should we be?

Adults with autism spectrum disorder and learning disability presenting with challenging behaviour: how tolerant should we be?

Reduced Responsiveness to Social Provocation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Judicial Perceptions of Media Portrayals of Offenders with High Functioning Autistic Spectrum Disorders

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