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A Scoping Review of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Criminal Justice System

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Abstract

The authors conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed, empirical studies to summarize literature examining the interface between individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the criminal justice system (CJS). The authors searched 13 professional databases and 28 journals using key terms related to ASD and the CJS. From a total of 678 articles, 55 met inclusion criteria and the authors organized studies into five thematic categories: (a) prevalence of ASD in CJS settings, (b) characteristics of individuals with ASD in CJS settings, (c) ASD experiences and perceptions of the CJS, (d) interviewing individuals with ASD in CJS settings, and (e) knowledge, perceptions, awareness, and training by CJS professionals. The review revealed a growing increase in ASD-CJS research and identified areas of future research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational, Counseling, and School Psychology, University of Kentucky, 237 Dickey Hall, Lexington, KY, 40506-0001, USA

    Kirsten S. Railey & Abigail M. A. Love

  2. Department of Psychology, Western Carolina University, 306-D Killian, 1 University Drive, Cullowhee, NC, 28723, USA

    Jonathan M. Campbell

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Railey, K.S., Love, A.M.A. & Campbell, J.M. A Scoping Review of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Criminal Justice System. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 8, 118–144 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-020-00203-0

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