Family and Clinician Perspectives About How Autism and Extremism Intersect

Introduction: Research exploring the contextual factors influencing the rare instances of autistic people engaging with extreme ideologies is limited. This article explores factors that affected autistic people who engaged with extreme ideologies, from the perspectives of close contacts and clinicians. Methods: This article presents findings from interviews with two participant groups: family and friends, and clinicians. We recruited participants through a gatekeeper, professional networks, and social media. We used reflexive thematic analysis to analyze the data. Results: Participants included seven family members and one friend in the first group and five clinicians in the second. Across both groups, we identified four themes: (1) experiences of social vulnerability; (2) autistic and neurodivergent characteristics in the context of risk; (3) negotiating a complex identity; and (4) a slippery rabbit hole. Social vulnerabilities including lack of secure attachments in childhood and social rejection led to a sense of persecution. System-level marginalization compounded the sense of exclusion. A negative autistic self-image was an important factor. Inflexible thinking, differences in social cognition, hyperfixation, and need for structure and routine were identified as neurodivergent features that could find a fit within the ideologies and practices of extremist groups. However, participants emphasized that autism itself did not fully account for this engagement. With limited engagement in prosocial real-world activities and ample idle time, internet algorithms exacerbated exposure to extreme ideologies, which offered provocative explanations for these autistic peoples’ struggles. Conclusions: Timely diagnosis, qualified and continuous support structures, neuroinclusive societies, and digital literacy are all key components to preventing autistic people from this harmful engagement.