title: The Prevalence and Correlates of Involvement in the Criminal Justice System Among Youth on the Autism Spectrum.
abstract: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of involvement in the criminal justice system among a nationally representative sample of youth with autism. We examined whether youth had been stopped and questioned by police or arrested at 14-15 years old and 21-22 years old. By age 21, approximately 20% of youth with autism had been stopped and questioned by police and nearly 5% had been arrested. Female youth were less likely to be involved in the criminal justice system, whereas youth displaying externalizing behaviors were more likely to be involved in the criminal justice system. Further research is needed to investigate factors associated with involvement in the criminal justice system among youth with autism and to implement prevention strategies.
authors.affiliation: A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, 3020 Market St, Suite 501, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. jar484@drexel.edu.
authors.forename: Julianna
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9694-5310
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rava
authors.affiliation: A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, 3020 Market St, Suite 501, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shattuck
authors.affiliation: A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, 3020 Market St, Suite 501, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rast
authors.affiliation: A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, 3020 Market St, Suite 501, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roux
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Autism; Autism spectrum disorder; Criminal justice involvement; Prevalence; Risk factors; Transition-age youth