Criminal Behavior Patterns and School Discipline in Juvenile Justice–Involved Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Hitting or Honey: Responding to Student Behavior

Abstract

Previous studies have found high rates of students with disabilities within the juvenile justice system. However, there has been little effort to understand patterns of criminal behaviors and school disciplinary incidents among youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The purpose of the present study was to understand criminal behavior in regard to offense type and school discipline incidents in juvenile-justice involved youth (JJY) with ASD in comparison to a matched comparison group of JJY without special educational needs. Cross-tabulated results showed that JJY with ASD who committed property, violent, and public offenses were more likely to receive out-of-school-suspensions. Our study contributes to the literature by describing patterns of criminal behaviors and possible factors in school associated with offending.

Authors

• Alexandra Slaughter, University of Houston

• Judy H. Hong, University of Houston

• Sascha D. Hein, University of Houston