Feb 21, 2023
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:
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A brief synopsis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Distinguishing traits of Asperger's Syndrome Disorder
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The typical age of diagnosis
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What measurements are used to diagnose autism
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Are people on the spectrum more likely to commit crimes, and what factors might make them more vulnerable to entering the criminal justice system
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Why most autistic people who have entered the system are charged with a cyber crime
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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
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What preventative measures families can take to ensure that their loved one doesn’t find themselves in these types of situations
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The likelihood of repeat offenders, and what the opportunity of diversion presents for them
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What diversionary programs can be found in the United States, and why we need more
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How sex education can help in keeping people on the spectrum out of this trap
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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 providing expert testimony since 2009. Dr.
Cohen is now in independent practice assisting in the evaluation
and defense of ASD defendants throughout the U.S.
Dr Isabelle Hénault, is a sexologist and
psychologist from the University of Québec at Montréal, Canada. Her
practice and studies have focused on providing diagnosis, education
and support to children, adolescents, adults and couples living
with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Dr. Hénault has developed a
relationship and sex education program, and works with individuals
and groups to increase their understanding of sexuality, and
conducts relationship counseling. She is presently collaborating on
numerous international research initiatives involving socio-sexual
education and interpersonal relationships. She worked for
over 2 years and a half at Tony Attwood’s clinic in
Australia.
Dr. Hénault is the author of Asperger's Syndrome and Sexuality: From Adolescence through Adulthood, published by Jessica Kingsley Publisher, London (2005) and co-author of The Autism Spectrum, Sexuality and the Law (Attwood, Hénault & Dubin) published by Jessica Kingsley Publisher, London (2014).
She also published the book: The female profile of Autism (Chenelière Education, 2020; JKP 2023) and collaborated to the book: Working with Autistic Transgender and Non-Binary people (Kourti & coll, 2021).
Henault’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CliniqueAutismeAspergerMontreal/
Cohen’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/AutismSpectrumDiagnosticsConsulting/
Henault’s Publications:
https://us.jkp.com/collections/author-isabelle-henault-pid-201833
https://us.jkp.com/collections/author-marianthi-kourti-pid-213286
Cohen’s Publications:
https://products.brookespublishing.com/HSearch.aspx?k=Mary+Riggs+Cohen+PhD