DuckRabbit
Well-Known Member
Has anyone seen this yet?:
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Are autistic people at a greater risk of being radicalised? Those with the condition could be more likely to become 'lone wolf' terrorists
PUBLISHED: 17:05, 23 June 2017 | UPDATED: 17:05, 23 June 2017
Read more: Autistic people could be at risk of being radicalised | Daily Mail Online
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It seems there is no end to the negative projections onto ASD individuals. I would have thought that, with their independent thinking and general lack of susceptibility to mass movements, advertising, marketing and propaganda, ASD individuals would be the very last in society to be radicalised!
Look how readily the link is made between 'not having many friends' (note how this is framed cf. not "enjoying one's own company") and violent psychopathology:
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Lastly, they identify suicide bombers who are willing to give their lives. Lone wolf terrorism would fit this last category.
Reilly did not have many friends and lived in a poor area of Plymouth, England.
Reilly clearly had difficulties relating to other people and had a fixation with terrorism and martyrdom
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The article also states:
"It is important to caution here that there is no substantial link between ASD and terrorism.
However, there may be specific risk factors which could increase the risk of offending among people with ASD.
Autistic special interests such as fantasy, obsessiveness (extreme compulsiveness), the need for routine/predictability and social/communication difficulties can all increase the vulnerability of an person with ASD to going down the pathway to terrorism."
An ASD individual is as likely as a NT individual to be left-wing or right-wing in their politics, theist or atheist in their religion, psychopathic or non-psychopathic, bullying and abusive or kind and empathetic in their human relationships. Why does this research not examine equally the "specific risk factors", including "the need to matter", which could "increase the risk of offending among people with neurotypicality"?
By this logic, ASD individuals would be more likely to join gangs. But surely it is more likely to be NTs for whom 'belonging to the group' and 'social status within the group' matter?
"They also have a tendency to hyper-focus in on their fascinations and interests at the expense of other attachments and life interests."
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Even though they admit "there is no substantial link between ASD and terrorism", my assessment is that this is biased research starting from flawed premises. Way to reduce prejudice against and hostility towards neurodiverse groups in society...
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Are autistic people at a greater risk of being radicalised? Those with the condition could be more likely to become 'lone wolf' terrorists
- People with Autism Spectrum Disorder may be vulnerable to ISIS propaganda
- Autistic people are more isolated and lonely and so may be easier to target
- Their obsessive and compulsive tendencies could also put them at a higher risk
- Findings suggest people involved with terrorism should be evaluated for ASD
PUBLISHED: 17:05, 23 June 2017 | UPDATED: 17:05, 23 June 2017
Read more: Autistic people could be at risk of being radicalised | Daily Mail Online
-----------------------
It seems there is no end to the negative projections onto ASD individuals. I would have thought that, with their independent thinking and general lack of susceptibility to mass movements, advertising, marketing and propaganda, ASD individuals would be the very last in society to be radicalised!
Look how readily the link is made between 'not having many friends' (note how this is framed cf. not "enjoying one's own company") and violent psychopathology:
-----------------------
Lastly, they identify suicide bombers who are willing to give their lives. Lone wolf terrorism would fit this last category.
Reilly did not have many friends and lived in a poor area of Plymouth, England.
Reilly clearly had difficulties relating to other people and had a fixation with terrorism and martyrdom
-----------------------
The article also states:
"It is important to caution here that there is no substantial link between ASD and terrorism.
However, there may be specific risk factors which could increase the risk of offending among people with ASD.
Autistic special interests such as fantasy, obsessiveness (extreme compulsiveness), the need for routine/predictability and social/communication difficulties can all increase the vulnerability of an person with ASD to going down the pathway to terrorism."
An ASD individual is as likely as a NT individual to be left-wing or right-wing in their politics, theist or atheist in their religion, psychopathic or non-psychopathic, bullying and abusive or kind and empathetic in their human relationships. Why does this research not examine equally the "specific risk factors", including "the need to matter", which could "increase the risk of offending among people with neurotypicality"?
By this logic, ASD individuals would be more likely to join gangs. But surely it is more likely to be NTs for whom 'belonging to the group' and 'social status within the group' matter?
"They also have a tendency to hyper-focus in on their fascinations and interests at the expense of other attachments and life interests."
-----------------------
Even though they admit "there is no substantial link between ASD and terrorism", my assessment is that this is biased research starting from flawed premises. Way to reduce prejudice against and hostility towards neurodiverse groups in society...
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