Legal experts have issued a warning about the risks facing neurodivergent young people during contact with the criminal justice system.
Olliers Solicitors, a criminal defence firm with experience representing neurodivergent clients, said early misunderstandings with police can quickly escalate.
Particularly when officers are unaware that a young person may face communication or sensory challenges.
Recent research highlights the scale of the issue.
A 2025 report from University College London found that around 80 per cent of children cautioned or sentenced in the youth justice system are neurodivergent or have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) - a figure much higher than in the general population.
Laura Baumanis, a defence solicitor and partner at Olliers, said: "Autism is fundamentally a social communication difference, meaning some people struggle to understand social boundaries or relationships online.
"This can lead to misunderstandings around communication, friendships or inappropriate content.
"Many autistic people are also more socially isolated and may spend far more time online than their neurotypical peers, increasing exposure to risky situations, grooming or illegal material.
"Behaviour that is completely consistent with autism can easily be interpreted as suspicious or non-compliant.
"Avoiding eye contact, taking longer to answer questions, appearing unemotional, lacking remorse or becoming overwhelmed by noise or touch can all be mistaken for guilt or defiance."
Olliers said parents can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of police contact, including setting clear rules about behaviour from a young age - especially around obsessive interests.
It's also important to clearly explain what is illegal or inappropriate, particularly online.
Monitoring online communities, discussing consent and boundaries explicitly, and teaching coping strategies for overwhelming situations, such as asking for space, are also recommended.
If a neurodivergent child is stopped by the police, Ms Baumanis said their behaviour could easily be misinterpreted as aggression or refusal to cooperate, leading to unnecessary escalation.
Practical steps for parents include disclosing the child's neurodivergence early if they have contact with police.
Ms Baumanis said: "Once that misunderstanding takes hold, the situation can escalate very quickly."
She also recommends asking for an appropriate adult to be present during interviews, requesting a calmer interview environment, and seeking early legal advice.
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Olliers acknowledges that some progress has been made, with more police officers and prosecutors aware of the need for reasonable adjustments, but said there is still inconsistency across the system.
Ms Baumanis said: "Greater awareness among police, lawyers and the courts would make a huge difference in ensuring autistic individuals are treated fairly and not criminalised because of behaviours linked to their condition."
For more advice, visit: https://www.olliers.com/
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