At every stage, from apprehension to arrest to sentencing, people with neurological challenges such as autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, ADHD or brain injuries are disadvantaged in court. That's the starting point for University of Auckland law professor Mark Henaghan - who says more needs to be done to give those without strong verbal skills a fair go in the justice system.
Along with reasearcher Jean Choi the pair have contributed to a new book titled International Perspectives of Neuroscience in the Youth Justice Courtroom. Mark Henaghan says the consequences of misunderstanding neurodiversity are serious, and identifying neurodivergent defendants early in the process is critical.
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