The Offense of Misunderstanding

Mary Riggs Cohen, PhD & Dr. Isabelle Hénault

This week Elizabeth Kelley talks with her guests, Mary Riggs Cohen, PhD and Dr. Isabelle Henault. They discuss Autism Spectrum Disorder, the misunderstandings that cause people with ASD to be caught up in the the criminal justice system, and what measures can be taken to prevent situations of this nature.

In this episode, we discuss:

• A brief synopsis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Distinguishing traits of Asperger's Syndrome Disorder

• The typical age of diagnosis

• What measurements are used to diagnose autism

• Are people on the spectrum more likely to commit crimes, and what factors might make them more vulnerable to entering the criminal justice system

• Why most autistic people who have entered the system are charged with a cyber crime 

• Why it’s not appropriate for the treating psychologist to serve as the independent forensic psychologist in autism cases, and how they can more appropriately work together for the best outcome

• What preventative measures families can take to ensure that their loved one doesn’t find themselves in these types of situations

• The likelihood of repeat offenders, and what the opportunity of diversion presents for them

• What diversionary programs can be found in the United States, and why we need more

• How sex education can help in keeping people on the spectrum out of this trap 

• Why it is so important for law enforcement, social workers, and courtroom professionals to understand trauma

Mary Riggs Cohen, PhD received her doctoral training in clinical psychology at the Catholic University of America and her postdoctoral family therapy training at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Center. Dr. Cohen is a licensed psychologist in New York and Pennsylvania. She has thirty-six years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families and has specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders for twenty-nine years. As Clinical Director of the Social Learning Disorders Program at the University of Pennsylvania Psychiatry Department, she developed the Social Skills Seminar for young adults on the autism spectrum which was taught at Penn and New York City. She is the author of Social Literacy: A Social Skills Seminar for Young Adults with ASDs, NLDs and Social Anxiety. Dr. Cohen was the Director of the Center for Teaching and Research in Autism at Pace University for three years and was an Associate Professor of Psychology. She is a frequent presenter at autism conferences and provides professional continuing education workshops on a variety of topics related to autism diagnosis, treatment and forensic issues. Formerly the Director at Autism Spectrum Diagnostics & Consulting in Doylestown, PA., she has been conducting forensic evaluations of individuals on the autism spectrum and prov