The Relationship between Psychopathy Traits, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Forensic Populations: A Systematic PRISMA Review

Abstract

Background: Numerous studies investigate the rate of neurodevelopmental disorders in forensic populations. Studies have also investigated the rate of psychopathy in such settings. However, there appears to be a paucity of studies looking at both of these (co-morbidity between these disorders) and the possible relationships between the two in forensic populations. Method: Presented here are the findings from a systematic review conducted, following PRISMA guidelines, of the peer-reviewed literature. The review identified studies that investigated the rate and/or relationship of neurodevelopmental disorders (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorders) and psychopathy in a forensic sample population without relying on previous childhood diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders. Results: Twenty-two studies were identified which investigated the rate and/or relationship of neurodevelopmental disorders and psychopathy in a forensic sample population without relying on previous childhood diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorders. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for the development of screening and diagnostic tools especially targeted at offenders and validated for this purpose.

Autism: the pre-conceptual state of mind

“…Unfortunately, other individuals develop more severe problems and loose previously achieved milestones or develop a vulnerability for future pathology (Poletaev, 2018) (Di Pierro, 2017) (Mito, 2014) (Wentz, 2005). A lot of overlapping symptomatology between ASD and other clinical neuropsychiatric disorders has been found, for instance between ASD and Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder (Cath, 2008), ADHD (Alley, 2016) (Anholt, 2010) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Arildskov, 2015) (Paula-Perez, 2013) (Jacob, 2009), Schizophrenia (Fitzgerald M. , 2012), Eating Disorders (Dell'Osso, 2016), Personality Disorders (Baskin-Sommers, 2014) and Psychopathy (Fitzgerald M. , 2015) (Rogers, 2006. Preliminary results in treatment of aspects of autism and overlapping symptomatology by ReAttach, support the hypothesis of a dynamic ortho-pedagogical model (Weerkamp Bartholomeus, 2018).…”