Autism & The Criminal Justice System - Overcoming Band-Aid Solutions

This week Elizabeth Kelley talks with her guest, Tom Oliver. The two discuss his journey with an early ASD diagnosis, how it has shaped his career and expertise, and the relevant defenses that Tom has proposed to better protect his clients.

 

 

In this episode, we discuss:

• When Tom was diagnosed with autism, and how he felt about it initially

• How important it is to incorporate occupational therapy into the ASD journey

• Why it’s so easy for an autistic person to get caught up in the criminal justice system

• What traits are typically found in people on the spectrum

• What particular categories of offenses individuals with ASD are most vulnerable to

• The relevant defenses that Tom has proposed to better protect his clients

• How he suggests we create instructive accountability in these cases and the people involved

• What advice he has for the family members of autistic people who are caught up in the criminal justice system

Tom Oliver is a TEDx Speaker, Law Graduate at the State Solicitor's Office (WA), Company Director, 2022 Young Australian of the Year Finalist & Global leader on autistic individuals caught up in the justice system.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-oliver-gaicd-b27a2a166/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomoliverlegal/

Promo:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Off_the_Rails_(2016_film)

https://www.amazon.com/Off-Rails-Darius-McCollum/dp/B06Y1956X3

TEDx Talk:

https://www.ted.com/talks/tom_oliver_autism_is_not_a_crime

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_j5jOadcVc