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Offending Behaviour in Adults with Asperger Syndrome

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Abstract

Considerable speculation is evident both within the scientific literature and popular media regarding possible links between Asperger syndrome and offending. A survey methodology that utilised quantitative data collection was employed to investigate the prevalence of offending behaviour amongst adults with Asperger Syndrome in a large geographical area of South Wales, UK; qualitative interviews were then conducted with a sub-sample of those identified. A small number of participants meeting the study criteria were identified. For those who had offended, their experience of the criminal justice system was essentially negative. Possible implications of the results were discussed.

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Acknowledgments

Our sincere thanks are due to the service users and informants who took part in the study, and to Autism Cymru, who funded the research.

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Correspondence to David Allen.

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Allen, D., Evans, C., Hider, A. et al. Offending Behaviour in Adults with Asperger Syndrome. J Autism Dev Disord 38, 748–758 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0442-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0442-9

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