Purpose -This paper aims to describe the issues in risk assessment and management of autism spectrum disorders in secure hospital settings with reference to best practice guidance.Design/methodology/approach -The author undertook a review of the current literature on risk management in autism spectrum disorders and has drawn on clinical experience to highlight key issues.Findings -Risk assessment and management needs to be tailored to individuals. Characteristics of offences differ compared to other mental disorders. Underlying factors for offending differ from other mental disorders and may be misinterpreted.Practical implications -Risk assessment in autism spectrum disorders should take into account individual characteristics and be informed by specialist assessments. Management should be based on a formulation informed by assessments and by recognising individual characteristics.Originality/value -The paper highlights important issues in risk assessment and management of patients with autism spectrum disorders particularly in secure hospital settings.

PurposeThis paper seeks to offer a general review of offending and autism spectrum disorders from both the authors' perception of the media portrayal and the current evidence based research.Design/methodology/approachThe authors undertook a review of the current literature relating to autism spectrum disorders and offending and commented on current media reporting to try and offer a balance.FindingsRecent evidence suggests that there is unlikely to be an increased prevalence compared to the general population, but the presence of co‐morbidities may increase the risk of violence.Originality/valueThe paper offers a succinct overview of the current evidence base relating to autism spectrum disorders and offending.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to offer a general review of care for individuals on the autism spectrum, including Asperger's syndrome within a medium secure setting. Design/methodology/approach -The authors undertook a review of the current literature relating to pathways to care, offending characteristics and treatment interventions. They examined the available evidence and current practice. Findings -Available evidence suggests offending characteristics of individuals with autism are different to those of mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Limited evidence in treatment interventions and in risk management for those with autism presents a challenge to clinicians. The heterogeneity makes a strong case for an individualised case formulation approach to treatment and risk management. Originality/value -This paper offers an overview of the current evidence base relating to the treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders within medium secure settings.

SummaryA significant number of people who come into contact with the police have a mental disorder. Attending the police station to assess detainees forms a significant part of most psychiatrists' work. The role of the psychiatrist includes assessing for the presence of mental disorder, advising on diversion from custody and assessing detainees' fitness to be interviewed. This article, based on data primarily from the UK, looks at issues involved for psychiatrists attending police stations, including pathways to care, epidemiology, assessment of detainees under the Mental Health Act 1983, fitness of detainees to be interviewed and aspects of training.

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