Finally, it is really important not to use leading questions. Autistic people (unless they also have accompanying intellectual impairment) are not more suggestible than non-autistic people. However, they may be more likely to agree with the interviewer’s suggestions or to statements that are untrue, and not understand the consequences of this.
For example asking, “Has your laptop got anything on it about plans for any terrorism acts?” is likely to elicit agreement, as a web browser or a text editor could be used to plan anything.
I wrote about this interview question in my ‘Calm, almost too calm’ chapter in the Being Autistic book and talked about it in a video about how typical autistic behaviour is considered suspicious for an Ask Autism training module.
The guide is available in PDF. It can also be ordered (free but with delivery cost) from the National Autistic Society.
Acknowledging autism in the family
Why I no longer support research into autism
Counter terrorism campaign, a risk for autistics
Nothing about us without (more of) us.
Callous change to Asperger United distribution
A guide for police officers and staff
Grinker’s neurotypical arithmetic