Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Violence and ASD

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • 397 Accesses

Definition

Violence is defined as the purposeful and malicious injury of another person (Blackburn 1993). From a behavior analytic perspective, it can present in multiple expressions, be preceded by various antecedents, and be maintained by numerous consequences. Instrumental violence refers to acts that are goal oriented, measured, and dispassionate (Berkowitz 1993). Expressive violence is characterized by impulsivity and mercurial emotions and may be in response to an intolerable level of physical or emotional dysregulation (McGuire 2008).

Historical Background

Violence is not a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is not our intent to vilify people with ASD. Indeed, people with disabilities are three times more likely to be victims of nonfatal crimes than people without disabilities. A reported 94% of people with Asperger’s syndrome (AS) have been the victims of bullying (Little 2002). According to a report from the US Department of Justice (Harrell 2015), people with...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References and Readings

  • Allely, C. S., Minnis, H., Thompson, L., Wilson, P., & Gillberg, C. (2014). Neurodevelopmental and psychosocial risk factors in serial killer and mass murderers. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 19, 288–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, D., Evans, C., Hider, A., Hawkins, S., Peckett, H., & Morgan, H. (2008). Offending behavior in adults with Asperger’s Syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 748–758.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Baron, M. G. (2006). Stress and coping in autism. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Barry-Walsh, J., & Mullen, P. (2004). Forensic aspects of Asperger’s Syndrome. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 15(1), 96–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berkowitz, L. (1993). Aggression: Its causes, consequences, and control. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackburn, R. (1993). The psychology of criminal conduct: Theory, research and practice. London: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bjørkly, S. (2009). Risk and dynamics of violence in Asperger’s syndrome: A systematic review of the literature. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 14(5), 306–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brugha, T. S., McManus, S., Bankart, J., Scott, F., Purdon, S., Smith, J., Bebbington, P., Jenkins, R., & Meltzer, H. (2011). Epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders in adults in the community in England. Archives of General Psychiatry, 68(5), 459–466.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, M. A., French, S., & Gendreau, P. (2009). The prediction of violence in adult offenders: A meta-analytic comparison of instruments and methods of assessment. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 36(6), 567–590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carvill, S. (2001). Sensory impairments, intellectual disability and psychiatry. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 45(6), 467–483.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cheely, C. A., Carpenter, L. A., Letourneau, E. J., Nicholas, J. S., Charles, J., & King, L. B. (2011). The prevalence of youth with autism spectrum disorders in the criminal justice system. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 1856–1862.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, L., & Bowen, E. (2012). Intimate partner violence and stalking. In G. Davies & A. Beech (Eds.), Forensic psychology: Crime, justice, law, interventions (pp. 189–208). West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd..

    Google Scholar 

  • Dominick, K. C., Davis, N. O., Lainhart, J., Tager-Flusberg, H., & Folstein, S. (2007). Atypical behaviors in children with autism and children with a history of language impairment. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 28(2), 145–162.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, S., & Gillberg, C. (1993). The epidemiology of Asperger syndrome: A total population study. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 34, 1327–1350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elsabbagh, M., Divan, G., Koh, Y., Kim, Y., Kauchali, S., Marcín, C., Montiel-Nava, C., Patel, V., Paula, C. S., Wang, C., Yasamy, M. T., & Fombonne, E. (2012). Global prevalence of autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. International Society for Autism Research, 5(3), 160–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farrington, D. P., & Loeber, R. (2000). Epidemiology of juvenile violence. Juvenile Violence, 9, 733–748.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grove, W. M., Zald, D. H., Lebow, B. S., Snitz, B. E., & Nelson, C. (2000). Clinical versus mechanical prediction: A meta-analysis. Psychological Assessment, 12, 19–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hare, D. J., Gould, J., Mills, R., & Wing, L. (1999). A preliminary study of individuals with autistic spectrum disorders in three special hospitals in England. London: National Autistic Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harkins, L., Ware, J., & Mann, R. (2012). Interventions with dangerous offenders. In G. Davies & A. Beech (Eds.), Forensic psychology: Crime, justice, law, interventions (pp. 349–368). London: John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrell, E. (2015). Crime against persons with disabilities, 2009–2013-statistical tables.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haskins, B., & Silva, J. (2006). Asperger’s disorder and criminal behavior: forensic psychiatric considerations. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online, 34(3), 374–384.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawakami, C., Ohnishi, M., Sugiyama, T., Someki, F., Nakamura, K., & Tsujii, M. (2012). The risk factors for criminal behaviour in high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASDs): a comparison of childhood adversities between individuals with HFASDs who exhibit criminal behaviour and those with HFASD and no criminal histories. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6, 949–957.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langstrom, N., Grann, M., Ruchkin, V., Sjostedt, G., & Fazel, S. (2009). Factors for violent offending in autism spectrum disorder: A national study of hospitalized individuals. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 24, 1358–1370.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lerner, M. D., Haque, O. S., Northrup, E. C., Lawer, L., & Bursztajn, H. J. (2012). Emerging perspectives on adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders, violence, and criminal law. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online, 40(2), 177–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Little, L. (2002). Middle-class mothers’ perceptions of peer and sibling victimization among children with Asperger’s syndrome and nonverbal learning disorders. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 25(1), 43–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mawson, D., Grounds, A., & Tantam, D. (1985). Violence and Asperger’s syndrome. British Journal of Psychiatry, 147, 566–569.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGuire, J. (2008). A review of effective interventions for reducing aggression and violence. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 363(1503), 2577–2597.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McSherry, B. (2004). Risk assessment by mental health professionals and the prevention of future violent behaviour. Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, 281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murrie, D., Warren, J., Kristiansson, M., & Dietz, P. E. (2002). Asperger’s syndrome in forensic settings. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 1, 59–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwalbe, C. S. (2007). Risk assessment for juvenile justice: A meta-analysis. Law and Human Behavior, 31, 449–462.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz-Watts, D. (2005). Asperger’s disorder and murder. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 33(3), 390–393.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siponmaa, L., Kristiansson, M., Jonson, C., Nyden, A., & Gillberg, C. (2001). Juvenile and young mentally disordered offenders: The role of child neuropsychiatric disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 29, 420–426.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sedensky, S. J. (2013). Report of the state’s attorney for the judicial district of Danbury on the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School and 36 Yogananda Street, Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012. Danbury Connecticut: Office of the Attorney General.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tantam, D. (1988). Lifelong eccentricity and social isolation: 1. Psychiatric, social and forensic aspects. British Journal of Psychiatry, 153, 777–782.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walters, G. D. (2006). Risk-appraisal versus self-report in the prediction of criminal justice outcomes. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 33, 179–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woodbury-Smith, M. R., Clare, I. C. H., Holland, A. J., & Kearns, A. (2006). High functioning autistic spectrum disorders, offending and other law-breaking: Findings from a community sample. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 17(1), 108–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

    Laurie A. Sperry

  2. College of Contemporary Liberal Studies, Department of Education, Regis University, Denver, CO, USA

    David C. Gavisk

Authors
  1. Laurie A. Sperry
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David C. Gavisk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laurie A. Sperry .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media LLC

About this entry

Cite this entry

Sperry, L.A., Gavisk, D.C. (2016). Violence and ASD. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102129-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102129-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation