Autism, which includes Asperger syndrome, is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates with other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. Autism is a spectrum condition. This means that, while all people with autism share certain characteristics, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives, while others may need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may experience over or under sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.

Many people with autism also have learning disabilities.

Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome can be of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.

It is estimated that there are 500,000 (around 1 in 100) people with autism in the UK. Many people may not have the condition diagnosed or will have been misdiagnosed with another condition, such as schizophrenia (National Autistic Society, 2011).

It is unclear whether people on the autistic spectrum are more highly represented in the criminal justice system than in the general population.