A firestorm of criticism has engulfed education watchdog Ofsted and counter-terrorism officials over controversial training guidance that links the behaviour of autistic children to potential terrorism.
The resource, developed by the South East Regional Prevent Team and hosted on a government website endorsed by Ofsted, has been branded 'deeply damaging' and 'discriminatory' by leading charities and parliamentarians.
What The Guidance Said
The training material, designed for teachers, suggested educators should look for certain traits as potential indicators of extremism. These included:
- Fixations on specific interests or subjects
- Social isolation and difficulty with social cues
- Expressing ‘inappropriate’ emotions
- Displaying a ‘low self-image’
These characteristics are common in many autistic young people and are in no way indicative of a propensity for violence or radicalisation.
A Wave of Condemnation
The guidance provoked immediate and widespread outrage. The National Autistic Society led the charge, calling for the material's immediate removal and an urgent review.
‘This is dangerous, discriminatory and downright wrong,’ a spokesperson stated. ‘Linking autism to terrorism is not only offensive but it risks causing immense harm to a community already facing significant stigma.’
Labour MP Diana Johnson, who raised the issue in Parliament, highlighted the profound anxiety such guidance could cause parents and carers of autistic children.
Official Response and Removal
Facing intense pressure, the Home Office confirmed the training slide had been taken down, admitting it ‘did not meet the required standards’ and was ‘not in line with our approach’.
Ofsted, which had linked to the resource from its own official education portal, has also removed the reference. A spokesperson emphasised that the watchdog's own inspectors receive specialised training to understand the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
This incident raises serious questions about the quality control of official safeguarding training and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes against vulnerable groups.
