ABSTRACT
Offender populations are disproportionately likely to present with a host of special needs relative to the general population. The use of direct language is highly recommended when working with offenders suffering from learning, cognitive, and intellectual disabilities. Some of the more common conditions that may present in the population include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and traumatic brain injury. The chapter reviews each of these five disorders, introduces readers to the behavioral/emotional, adaptive, social, and executive functioning and direct language, engage support system, accommodate needs, and remain patient models, and identifies potentially useful assessment and treatment strategies. It presents a host of challenges for criminal justice and mental health professionals. Education and training is vital if individuals with intellectual disability are going to receive equal justice. The engagement of support systems for offenders with special needs suffering from learning, cognitive, and intellectual disorders is integral.
