Autism and terrorism links – fact or fiction?

There is no empirical evidence to show that people with autism are at increased risk of engaging in terrorist offences nor that autism is over-represented in terrorist offenders. However where a terrorist offender has a... [ view full abstract ]

There is no empirical evidence to show that people with autism are at increased risk of engaging in terrorist offences nor that autism is over-represented in terrorist offenders. However where a terrorist offender has a diagnosis of autism, functional links between different aspects of autistic functioning and the offence trajectory and modus operandi, need to be assessed. Where autism has acted as a contextual factor for an offender’s risk factors, interventions need to address such contexts, in order to reduce risk. Risk assessment and intervention for terrorist offenders with autism need to be tailored to each individual’s strengths and difficulties, and need to explore how autism can act as a protective factor for the offender.

The current presentation will explore how each aspect of autistic functioning can act as a contextual factor for terrorism pathways and modus operandi, and discuss the implications for police investigations, risk assessment and rehabilitation. The role played by autistic special interests, fantasy, obsessionality, need for routine/predictability, social and communication difficulties, cognitive styles, local coherence, systemising, and sensory processing, in terrorism pathways and modus operandi will be explored. Finally, ways to capitalise on autistic strengths in the course of investigation, assessment and rehabilitation, will be reflected on.