2013-12: Diagnosis and crime risk in adults with ASD (Call 2013-12)

Target group

Adult patients in forensic psychiatry with (suspected) autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and an IQ of at least 70.

The practical action protocol

The early recognition and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in forensic psychiatric patients is important for risk assessment and the establishment of an appropriate treatment and counselling plan aimed at preventing recidivism. The reason for this call was the lack of an action protocol for diagnosing ASD in forensic psychiatry. An overview of specific risk factors that affected the treatment to be used and associated risk management for this category of patients was also missing.  This action protocol describes a method for deploying screening and diagnostics for patients with an autism spectrum disorder in forensic psychiatry. This action protocol can be used both for the justice research reports and within the healthcare sector. 

Application and effects

The action protocol was developed and tested using a draft version of the protocol at a broad range of relevant institutions for forensic psychiatry in the Netherlands. The report describes risk factors for criminal behaviour among people with ASD and provides tools for risk management in this specific group. 

Executive party

FPC Pompestichting, in cooperation with, among others, FPA de Boog & Radboud UMC