A significant portion of Elizabeth's practice is devoted to representing people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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It should be emphasized that simply because someone is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it does not mean that they are predisposed to criminal activity. Indeed, statistics indicate that people with ASD are more likely to be victims of crime.
However, because of the particular characteristics of ASD, some individuals may be vulnerable to committing certain types of crimes such as cybercrime, stalking, arson, and acts of violence because of online radicalization. Only a small number of people with ASD commit crimes. Nonetheless, the numbers of people in general who are on the spectrum is significant. It is estimated that 1 in 69 people in the U.S. are autistic whereas in the United Kingdom, 1 in 59 are autistic. Elizabeth has represented men and women on the spectrum of all ages. Some were diagnosed as small children. Some were not diagnosed until later in life. They have been charged with all types of offenses including online offenses and crimes of violence. They have been charged in state and federal courts. Legal representation doesn't come with guarantees. But depending on the jurisdiction, the strength of the forensic evaluation, and the openness of the prosecutor and court, evidence of the person's autism can make a difference. A final note: Elizabeth is very sensitive to the fact that people with autism may have other issues. For example, because of being bullied, some people may struggle with anxiety and depression. Indeed, people with autism may have a variety of co-occurring disorders. To read a chapter on Co-occurring disorders by Dr Clare S Allely from Elizabeth's book on Autism, please click "Download File" to access the PDF linked below: 
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