Working with Autistic People in the Criminal Justice and Forensic Mental Health Systems: A Handbook for Practitioners - Paperback

by Nichola Tyler (Editor), Anne Sheeran (Editor)

Working with Autistic People in the Criminal Justice and Forensic Mental Health Systems: A Handbook for Practitioners is the first book to focus specifically on best practice for working with autistic people in criminal justice and forensic mental health settings. Integrating current theory, research, and clinical practice, this book provides a practical guide for multidisciplinary practitioners working with autistic people who have offended, at all stages in their pathway, regardless of the nature of offending.

The book draws together contributions from leading scholarly and clinical experts in the field of autism and forensic issues as well as the views of autistic people under the care of forensic services. Each chapter focuses on understanding the impact of autism throughout the criminal justice and forensic mental health system pathways, including how these systems are experienced by autistic people and their families and carers. Case studies and practical approaches are provided to demonstrate the application of best practice to working with autistic people in secure settings.

This book appeals to a wide audience within the fields of psychology, psychiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, as well as criminal justice staff (e.g., prison and probation), and will be the first of its kind to amalgamate theory, research, and practice in the area of autism and offending.

Author Biography

Nichola Tyler is a Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Nichola conducts research in the areas of forensic mental health, treatment evaluation, and deliberate firesetting. She has also worked in forensic settings with adult men and women who have engaged in challenging or offending behaviour.

Anne Sheeran is an NHS Clinical and Forensic Psychologist. Working within forensic mental health and prison settings, her key interest is support for autistic people and/or people with intellectual disabilities. Anne became an Approved Clinician as an early adopter of these new roles for psychologists, and is currently a full-time Responsible Clinician in both inpatient and community settings.