He walks the streets, feeling unseen, his face masked with a balaclava, a boy carrying silence like a backpack too heavy for his young shoulders, and a sharp Skeng strapped into his big jacket, the saviour he now possesses. He doesn’t know why the world feels louder to him than to others, why laws and rules are cages, instructions sound like static, and the boy who lives in a different zip code is his rival. His peers don’t understand; they laugh at him and call him too sensitive and aggressive, his family and significant others call him names and try to define and tame him. But then there’s the group on the corner. They don’t ask questions, they see his weakness as his strength, they support him emotionally with promises to even go to war for him, and they don’t make him feel small. They call him “family” and for the first time he feels seen.
In the United Kingdom, gang culture has woven itself into the lives of vulnerable teens, especially those who are neurodivergent. These young people, already grappling with ADHD, autism, or other conditions, often feel alienated in school systems ill-equipped to understand or support them. Misunderstood by teachers, peers, and sometimes even family, they grow up craving acceptance and belonging. Gangs are keenly aware of this void and exploit it, offering the illusion of a family, a purpose, a place to matter.
The emotional attraction is strong. Neurodivergent adolescents often struggle with rejection and social isolation. They are labeled as “troublemakers” or “lazy” when in reality they are fighting against systems that do not meet their needs. A gang offers an alternative — a group where the rules are simple, where loyalty is rewarded and where they can feel powerful instead of powerless. But this loyalty comes at a devastating price.
To break this cycle, we must intervene long before the boy meets the gang. Schools and communities need to become safe spaces where neurodiverse young people feel valued, understood and supported. Early diagnosis is crucial, but it is only the first step. Support systems — mentors, counselors and inclusive education programs — must follow to ensure these teens do not fall through the cracks.
Prevention also lies in emotional attachment. Teach neurodiverse teens to deal with their feelings, name their problems and recognize their worth. Programs such as peer support groups or mentoring initiatives can provide a sense of belonging without the dangers of gang membership. When educators are trained to recognize neurodiverse behaviors and respond with compassion rather than punishment, the image can shift from exclusion to inclusion.
Families also play a role. Parents should be educated about neurodivergence and how they can support their children’s special needs. Rasing their emotional intelliegence to be able to nurture the kids right. Encouraging open communication, vulnerability, acceptance and understanding at home can strengthen young people against the lure of external validation through gangs.
Gang culture thrives on vulnerability. By addressing the emotional and social needs of neurodiverse youth, we can free them from its grip. Every child deserves to feel seen — not by those who want to exploit him, but by those who genuinely care about him.