Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits among prisoners. The authors tested the hypotheses that ASD traits would: be continuously distributed among prisoners; be unrecognised by prison staff; and predict whether a prisoner met diagnostic criteria for ASD. Design/methodology/approach – ASD traits were measured among 240 prisoners in a male prison in London, UK using the 20-item Autism Quotient (AQ-20). Further diagnostic assessment was carried out using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Results were compared with ASD data from the 2007 Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. Findings – There were 39 participants with an AQ-20 score=10; indicating significant autistic traits. The distribution of ASD traits among participants appeared to be normal and was not significantly higher than the rate found in a population-based sample from England. Originality/value – Few studies have explored ASD traits among prisoners. The authors identified high levels of unrecognised ASD traits among a group of male prisoners, many of whom went on to meet diagnostic criteria for ASD. The study highlights the need for specialist assessment within the criminal justice system for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD. The authors discuss the process of carrying out an ASD assessment project in a prison.
Highlights
It is thought that around 1% of the population have autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
During the course of the study, there were eight prisoners with ASD that we identified, assessed, referred on to prison mental health services and provided information to GPs, who had previously gone unrecognised in prison and in the community
The expectation of the Equalities Act 2010 would be that prison staff will be trained to make reasonable adjustments around the communication, sensory and social needs of prisoners with ASD
Summary
It is thought that around 1% of the population have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).the male: female ratio of ASD of around 3:1 means that prevalence is higher among men (2%) than women (0.3%) and it has been estimated that up to 4.5% of single men haveASD (Brugha et al 2009a). It is thought that around 1% of the population have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The male: female ratio of ASD of around 3:1 means that prevalence is higher among men (2%) than women (0.3%) and it has been estimated that up to 4.5% of single men have. We might expect higher rates of ASD and significant levels of ASD traits among populations of men who are likely to be single. Given the higher rate of ASD among individuals with an intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning we might expect populations of men known to include a high proportion of those with lower IQ (for example, male prisoners) to have higher rates of ASD and ASD traits. There have been few studies on ASD among prison populations (Underwood et al, 2013). Recent reviews highlight the need for further research to support the early identification of individuals with ASD within the prison setting
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