Autism Spectrum Disorder and Violence: Threat Assessment Issues

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a lengthy history in criminal forensic mental health but is rarely discussed in the contemporary threat assessment literature as a cause of or contributor to targeted violence. In the popular media, ASD is sometimes associated with incidents of mass murder, influen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of threat assessment and management 2017-09, Vol.4 (3), p.144-163
Main Authors: White, Stephen G., Meloy, J. Reid, Mohandie, Kris, Kienlen, Kristine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Comorbidity
Human
Peer Report
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Threat
Threat Assessment
Violence
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Summary:Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a lengthy history in criminal forensic mental health but is rarely discussed in the contemporary threat assessment literature as a cause of or contributor to targeted violence. In the popular media, ASD is sometimes associated with incidents of mass murder, influencing public impressions, but begging the question of what relationship ASD may genuinely have with violence potential. Relevant research on ASD and violence is reviewed along with common methodological issues. Assessment challenges and potential case management missteps are discussed, such as distinguishing ASD from psychosis and psychopathy, and the crucial role of comorbid conditions in mediating or amplifying violence. Five cases are presented, exemplifying these issues and a range of ASD-related phenomena: an ASD college student false positive for violence, a false claim of ASD in a psychopathic defendant, a mass murder, a thwarted attack, and a rape and homicide by a psychopath paired with an ASD individual. A specific focus is the distinction between psychopathic and ASD-related motives and behaviors, and some promising research in this area. ASD characteristics of deficits in theory of mind, emotional regulation, and moral reasoning are discussed as they may contribute to either impulsive or predatory violence. Guidelines are offered for conducting ASD-related violence risk assessments, and an overview of case management strategies and issues.
ISSN:2169-4842
2169-4850
DOI:10.1037/tam0000089