Neurodiversity in forensic settings

There is a need for increased understanding for the features of autism that may provide the push and pull factors for engaging in terroristic behaviour. 

Rather than being the perpetrators of offending, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to be the victim of crime. However, there is nevertheless a small subset of individuals with ASD who do offend. In this training session I will provide some understanding of how certain features of ASD may provide the context of vulnerability to engaging in a sexual offending (offline and online) and terroristic behaviours and involvement with online extremist groups.

This webinar aims to help you understand some of the key questions and areas that should be explored when you have an individual with autism who is engaging in terroristic behaviour.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

• Delegates will learn the definitions of autism
• The webinar will be dispelling some common misconceptions around autism
• Delegates will learn what are the features of autism spectrum disorder that may provide the context of vulnerability to engaging in terroristic behaviour (or be vulnerable to engagement with online extremist groups or being radicalised)
• The webinar will look at the kind of questions and areas to explore when you have an autistic individual who is a person of concern

Is this course right for me? 

This course is aimed at researchers, law enforcement, legal professionals, forensic psychologists, forensic psychiatrists, criminal justice social workers, teachers, undergraduate and postgraduate students in psychology, forensic psychology, criminal justice, law, criminology, and social work. 

Webinar presenter: Professor Clare Allely

Clare S. Allely is a Professor of Forensic Psychology at the University of Salford in England and is an affiliate member of the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre at Gothenburg University, Sweden. Clare is an Honorary Research Fellow in the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences affiliated to the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow. Clare acts as an expert witness in criminal cases involving defendants with autism spectrum disorder and contributes to the evidence base used in the courts on psychology and legal issues through her published work. 

She is author of the book "The Psychology of Extreme Violence: A Case Study Approach to Serial Homicide, Mass Shooting, School Shooting and Lone-actor Terrorism" published by Routledge in 2020 and author of the book "Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Criminal Justice System: A Guide to Understanding Suspects, Defendants and Offenders with Autism" published by Routledge in 2022.