New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline - Ministry of Health

Part 5: Living in the community
5.3 Contact with the justice system
Summary of recommendations
Recommendations:
Grade
5.3.1 The victimisation of people with ASD should be further researched. C
5.3.2 People having regular contact with children and young people with ASD should
be screened for safety, and paid staff should be appropriately trained, supported
and supervised.
5.3.3 People with ASD should be taught social skills, and be educated in community
safety, strategies to keep safe when out at night, and what to do if they are abused.
5.3.4 If people with ASD are abused, they should receive services from Child, Youth and
Family, Victim Support, ACC (Sensitive Claims Unit) and other similar agencies.
5.3.5 Research is needed on the effect of abuse on people with ASD and how to reduce
these effects.
5.3.6 Application for the appointment of a welfare guardian or property manager
should be made to the Family Court in cases where there are serious concerns
about the ability of a person with ASD to manage his or her financial/personal
affairs and guard himself/herself against harm.
5.3.7 Further research is needed into the support needs of people with ASD who are
complainants and witnesses in criminal cases, their reliability as witnesses, and
the suitability of current provisions for vulnerable witnesses.
5.3.8 The prevalence of people with ASD in prison and secure settings needs further
investigation.
5.3.9 Research is needed into how to minimise the stress experienced by people with
ASD when they come into contact with the police and criminal justice system.
5.3.10 Families and whänau, and carers of people with ASD should develop good
relationships with their neighbours and (where appropriate) provide them with
information on ASD, to ensure that neighbours understand them and deal with
concerns informally wherever possible.
5.3.11 Families and whänau, carers and professionals should ensure that measures
are undertaken during the childhood of the person with ASD to prevent the
characteristics of ASD developing into behaviour that leads to victimisation or
criminal offending.
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Part 5
New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline 179