1st Edition
Autism Awareness and Crime Investigating the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Autism Awareness and Crime explores Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the ‘school to prison pipeline’.
This book takes the reader through a journey from understanding autism, how it manifests and how it is diagnosed. The author looks at how circumstances in schools including isolation, misunderstanding meltdowns, lack of autism awareness and training have criminalised autism, leading to suspensions, exclusions, and the use of restraint and seclusion. He draws on survey data to ascertain whether there is a link between a lack of autism awareness and provision in education settings for young people, and an increased likelihood of criminal behaviour later in life. The book looks at the type of offences that young people with autism are commonly arrested for, and the contributing autistic traits that are related to them which can be termed ‘risk factors’. Criminal offences including stalking, arson and cyber-dependent crimes are examined in detail and the book also considers how individuals with ASD are treated by the criminal justice system.
This volume is ideal for students, researchers and practitioners in the fields of forensic psychology, criminology, special educational needs and social work.
Foreword by Amanada Kirby
Foreword by Clare Allely
Foreword by Matthew Graham
1. Introduction
2. What is Autism?
3. Anxiety
4. Victimisation
5. Anger and Anger Management
6. Autism and Meltdowns/Shutdowns
7. Restraint and seclusion
8. Exclusions
9. Autism and criminal behaviours
10. Failed by the criminal justice system
11. The Study and Results
12. Discussion
13. Conclusion
Appendix 1: Stimming
Appendix 2: Adult Autism Survey
Appendix 3: Parent Autism Survey
Index
Biography
Neil Alexander-Passe is a school leader, a former SENDCO (Special educational needs and co-ordinator) and Assistant Head for primary and secondary schools in London. He is an ‘Inclusion Expert’ at the Department of Education (UK), and the author of 15 books focused on dyslexia and neurodiversity from a lived-experience, trauma perspective and has published 12 peer-reviewed papers. He is on the academic boards of dyslexia charities in Australia, and on the editorial board of a dyslexia-based academic peer-reviewed journal in Singapore.
"Autism and Crime is a thought-provoking and essential read that illuminates the systemic barriers faced by autistic individuals in education, society, and the criminal justice system. With its blend of research, lived experiences, and actionable recommendations, it is a vital resource for anyone committed to equity, understanding, and reform."
-- Professor Amanda Kirby, Emeritus Professor at the University of South Wales, Honorary Professor at Cardiff University, and Visiting Professor at Trinity College, Dublin
"This book focuses on increasing our understanding of young autistic people. It also is driven by the critical recognition of the ways in which a subgroup of young autistic people may go from school to prison and outlines in an accessible way how this can be prevented through appropriate support, understanding and timely intervention."
-- Professor Clare Alley, Professor of Forensic Psychology at the University of Salford in England
"Dr Neil Alexander-Passe continues his important thematic exploration of neurodivergence and the Criminal Justice System through the lens of the ‘school to prison pipeline’. Never has the topic been more important."
-- Matthew Graham, Partner at Stone King LLP, UK and criminal justice specialist
