Nor is there any guidance on how to differentiate between individuals with ASD who are engaging with radical propaganda but do not identifying with radical ideology or have had the intention to cause harm, and those who do. This tendency, alongside the absence of meaningful social connection and impairments in ability to critically analyse the philosophy and beliefs of radical groups, may collectively result in an individual with ASD being indoctrinated by terrorist ideology (Allely, 2016).Īt present, there are very few resources for educators, parents/carers and people with ASD that are aimed at helping to avoid or reduce hyperfocusing on topics which are linked to terrorism, such as online radical propaganda which are in violation of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. It has been suggested that individuals with ASD may be more vulnerable to being drawn into radical propaganda, including escalation into more involved commitment, due to their tendency to hyperfocus on their fascinations at the expense of other attachments and life interests (Al-Attar, 2016a). Clinicians are now considering the role that these core traits of ASD may represent in an individual’s pathway into terrorism and modus operandi (Al-Attar, 2016a). Repetitive behaviours can take the form of intense preoccupations or obsessions (Baron-Cohen & Wheelwright, 1999). This prevalence has fuelled consideration within the literature of the existence of specific generative and associational risk factors which may increase the risk of offending amongst individuals with ASD (IM, 2016).Īutism Spectrum Disorders are characteristised by the triad of social-interaction difficulties, communication challenges and a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviours (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Qualitative data derived from radicalised individuals with ASD, their parents/guardians and involved professionals will provide increase awareness of specific vulnerability and risk factors for radicalisation for persons with a diagnosis of ASD.Įmpirical research on the prevalence of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) amongst those who commit acts of terrorism reaches uncertain conclusions however there is evidence to suggest that ASD appears to be over-represented in lone-actor terrorist samples as compared to the general population (0.9% vs. There are currently very few resources aimed at helping to avoid/reduce hyperfocusing on topics which are linked to terrorism. Clinicians are now considering the role that core traits of ASD may represent in an individual’s pathway into terrorism, including tendency to hyperfocus, absence of meaningful attachments and inability to critically analyse radical ideology. 1956 26(3):556-566.Evidence suggests that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is over-represented in lone-actor terrorist samples, compared to the general population.
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