Enabling young people with Autism to stay safe and raising awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) within the Justice System – A model of best practice
Christine English
Autism NI
Autism NI is Northern Ireland’s main Autism Charity. Formed in 1989, the Charity seeks to ensure that people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their carers have access to appropriate services, enabling people with Autism to become valued members of the community. Christine English is the Development Officer in Autism NI. Her main role within the organisation is to develop and facilitate Autism training courses to parents, family members and professionals in a wide variety of topics and issues relating to Autism. In the past, Christine has facilitated youth groups and mentoring programmes for young people with Autism, and worked within an early intervention programme for families who have a young child with Autism.
Abstract
The majority of individuals with ASD are law-abiding citizens (Frith, 2003). However, some people with Autism may be more vulnerable to criminal acts being committed against them or may come into contact with the Justice... [ view full abstract ]
The majority of individuals with ASD are law-abiding citizens (Frith, 2003). However, some people with Autism may be more vulnerable to criminal acts being committed against them or may come into contact with the Justice System because of their social difficulties or their unusual sensitivity to sensory experiences. Appropriate support therefore needs to be in place so that people with ASD receive fair treatment from the Justice System.
Autism NI's 'Young People, Autism and Justice' project had two key areas of work. Firstly, we aimed to empower young people with ASD to develop social and life skills to stay safe and to support those who are at risk of engaging in criminal activity, to better recognise the causes and consequences of their behaviour.
Secondly, we aimed to ensure that staff within the Justice System are aware of the needs and difficulties of individuals with ASD and enable them to make reasonable adjustments to meet these needs.
This work was undertaken using a variety of methods including youth groups, individualised mentoring for young people, and the development of a training and resource package for staff within the Justice System.
The project highlighted a number of issues that will continue to resonate in future years. Autism NI have identified practical ways in which young people with ASD can be empowered to keep themselves safe. The project has generated greater awareness of ASD within the Justice System and as such provides a good example of targeted educational initiatives accompanied by accessible resources that have national and international applicability.
Ethics and permissions statement and / or disclosure of potential conflict of interest (if relevant)
This three year project was facilitated by Autism NI and funded by The Big Lottery Reaching Out Empowering Young People Fund. [ view full abstract ]
This three year project was facilitated by Autism NI and funded by The Big Lottery Reaching Out Empowering Young People Fund.
Authors
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Christine English
(Autism NI)
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Roy McConkey
(University of Ulster)
Topic Area
Topics: Practice
Session
V5 » Oral Posters: Housing and environments; sensory issues (17:50 - Friday, 16th September, Moorfoot Room)
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