What does neurodiversity refer to?
Natural variations in human brain function
Includes neuro-cognitive, developmental, medical, or genetic conditions that affect how people think, learn, and behave.
Who coined the term neurodiversity and in what year?
Judy Singer in 1998
What percentage of the global population is estimated to be neurodiverse?
~15% (≈1.2 billion people)
What is the prevalence of ADHD in the UK population?
~8% (≈5.4 million)
What is the comorbidity rate of dyslexia in individuals with ADHD?
50%
What condition affects communication, behavior, and social interaction?
Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
Which behavioral condition is marked by poor organization and impulsivity?
ADHD
What is emotional dysregulation?
Difficulty managing emotions and moods
What characterizes Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)?
Extreme emotional pain from criticism or rejection
What are some treatments for emotional dysregulation?
Alpha-2 agonists, stimulants, and MAOIs
What barriers do persons with disabilities face in the criminal legal system?
Prevent equal participation as witnesses, defendants, jurors, or legal professionals
What type of offenses are higher in individuals with Autism Spectrum Condition compared to ADHD?
Sex offences
What is the percentage of autistic individuals charged with an offense by adulthood?
3%
What is the estimated percentage of prisoners with a learning difference?
33%
What does the term ‘fitness to stand trial’ refer to?
Mental and cognitive capability to understand and participate in one’s trial
What is the burden of proof in most criminal cases?
The prosecution has to prove the defendant is guilty
What does ‘standard of proof’ mean in a criminal case?
‘Beyond reasonable doubt’
What does the Pritchard Criteria focus on?
Intellectual ability
What is the purpose of the Law Commission’s review on ‘Unfitness to Plead’?
To modernize the test to match contemporary psychology
What is the legal definition of insanity according to R v M’Naghten?
Not criminally responsible if suffering from a defect of reason due to a disease of the mind
What is the outcome if a defendant is found ‘not guilty by reason of insanity’?
Hospital Order/Supervision Order
What is the difference between being unfit to plead and the insanity defense?
Unfit to plead means no trial; insanity defense means a trial occurs
What are systemic disadvantages faced by neurodiverse individuals in the legal system?
Misrecognition of behavior, confusion in custody, and misunderstanding of court procedures
What does the new test for fitness to plead focus on?
Decision-making capacity and effective participation in trial
