A feasibility study to identify the presence of autism specific risk factors in secure services using an autism specific framework

A feasibility study to identify the presence of autism specific risk factors in secure services using an autism specific framework Esther Skelhorn, Alessandra Girardi, Sam Cooper-Evans Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.- Some individuals with autism may engage in violent behaviour. Research into autism specific factors (ASFs) that may contribute to violence is limited. The purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility of use of an ASF framework which was developed to inform risk formulation and treatment needs.Retrospective identification and evaluation of ASFs in offenders with autism (N = 13) at childhood, time of index offence and in current risk behaviours. The ASFs described in the framework were repetitive behaviours and circumscribed interests; poor social understanding and empathy; sensitivity to sensory stimulation; and disruption to rigid behavioural routines or difficulties coping with change.There was evidence for all four ASFs being consistently present in childhood, contributing to violent behaviour at the index offence and current risk behaviours in at least one case. Poor social understanding and empathy was often present at both childhood and index offence in all cases. Of the seven cases with offence paralleling behaviour, five had at least one ASF present at each timepoint.This proof-of-concept study provides initial support that ASFs play a role in offending behaviour of individu...
Source: Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour - Category: Criminology Authors: Source Type: research