Advocates Caution Against Autism Connection In School Shooting

[AGXStarseed]

(Not written by me)


Chloe Leffler, 14, left, and Dominique Cornwall, 15, during a Florida PTA statewide vigil in Coral Springs, Fla. to honor the victims of last week's high school shooting. (Carline Jean/Sun Sentinel/TNS)


After news reports indicated that the school shooter in Florida may be on the spectrum, autism advocates are working to dispel links between violence and the developmental disability.

Reports indicate that Nikolas Cruz who shot and killed 17 people at a Parkland, Fla. high school last week had been diagnosed with autism, among other conditions.

“But an autism diagnosis does not explain this horrific act of violence,” reads a statement from Autism Speaks.

“Autism affects each person differently, and misconceptions can increase prejudice toward the vast majority who are peaceful and productive members of society,” the group said.

Autism Speaks is one of at least three advocacy groups that issued statements in recent days in response to the Florida shooting. Others came from the Autism Society and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.

All three nonprofits noted that research has shown that people with autism and other disabilities are far more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators.

“We ask that those reporting about this tragic event not suggest or imply any linkage of autism and violence,” reads the Autism Society statement. “Implying or suggesting that a person who is diagnosed with autism is violent is not only wrong but hurtful to the over 3.5 million individuals living in the United States and any other individual with an autism diagnosis.”


Source: Advocates Caution Against Autism Connection In School Shooting

 

[MonolithImmortal]

Hell hath indeed frozen over. I agree with Autism Speaks.

 

[Joel's Hear]

He doesn't look autistic, but a lot of people who are don't appear so. Psychologists love to diagnose autism these days.

 

[clg114]

He doesn't look autistic, but a lot of people who are don't appear so. Psychologists love to diagnose autism these days.

How does a autistic person look? I am autistic and I was not aware that we had a certain look. Also, it looks to me like psychologists and psychiatrists are encouraged not to diagnose autism these days because of political and economic reasons associated with the DSM-5.

 

[clg114]

Hell hath indeed frozen over. I agree with Autism Speaks.

Now if they would just give up trying to cure autism.

 

[Judge]

Now if they would just give up trying to cure autism.

Yeah...I wouldn't hold my breath on that one!

Still, it's a little weird to see them on the same page as ASAN. But I'm not complaining...

 

[Joel's Hear]

How does a autistic person look? I am autistic and I was not aware that we had a certain look. Also, it looks to me like psychologists and psychiatrists are encouraged not to diagnose autism these days because of political and economic reasons associated with the DSM-5.

I am lankier, almost gangly in some ways, though I do have some upper body strength, from the tasks I must do. Also, my skull seems a bit longer in some ways, my forehead seems a bit narrower. I guess also, from the way he was initially described (I had no idea of the autism connection before AGX's post), he was considered somewhat a lady's man (I didn't have a girlfriend until 24, and I've read a surprising number of threads on here about autistic men not having girlfriends into their 40s). I know this isn't physical appearance though.

Often, I can tell if a person is autistic when I see them, but maybe it's not because they look a certain way? Maybe subtle fidgets or mannerisms.

About autism diagnostics, I was under the impression more people than ever were diagnosed in the last decade or so? That is a fact I'm pretty sure.

I've often thought I stood out because of my lankiness and gangliness, but perhaps it's because of my movements rather than actual appearance. I can't tell. I've been told my eyes look otherworldly or slightly alien. Who knows?

 

[clg114]

I am lankier, almost gangly in some ways, though I do have some upper body strength, from the tasks I must do. Also, my skull seems a bit longer in some ways, my forehead seems a bit narrower. I guess also, from the way he was initially described (I had no idea of the autism connection before AGX's post), he was considered somewhat a lady's man (I didn't have a girlfriend until 24, and I've read a surprising number of threads on here about autistic men not having girlfriends into their 40s). I know this isn't physical appearance though.

Often, I can tell if a person is autistic when I see them, but maybe it's not because they look a certain way? Maybe subtle fidgets or mannerisms.

About autism diagnostics, I was under the impression more people than ever were diagnosed in the last decade or so? That is a fact I'm pretty sure.

I've often thought I stood out because of my lankiness and gangliness, but perhaps it's because of my movements rather than actual appearance. I can't tell. I've been told my eyes look otherworldly or slightly alien. Who knows?

If there is a way to tell if a person is autistic by their appearance, it would be their eyes. Aspie eyes is something that seems to be fairly common.

Autism and Asperger's Syndrome were being diagnosed at a ever increasing rate with the DSM-4, until 2013. In the spring of 2013, the DSM-5 came out. I believe that the DSM-5 was heavily influenced by political and economic concerns that were alarmed by the high rate of diagnosis under the DSM-4. I was diagnosed with AS with DSM-4 and I do not believe that I could get a diagnosis with the DSM-5. I have a granddaughter who is obviously a Aspie and her school agrees. When she was taken to a psychologist, the doc also agreed. But would not diagnose her. She did agree to help her once my daughter said that she did not want a diagnosis, just help for her daughter. Now she goes to consoling every week. She is learning to better deal with her weakness's and to better take advantage of her considerable strengths.

 

[Joel's Hear]

If there is a way to tell if a person is autistic by their appearance, it would be their eyes. Aspie eyes is something that seems to be fairly common.

Autism and Asperger's Syndrome were being diagnosed at a ever increasing rate with the DSM-4, until 2013. In the spring of 2013, the DSM-5 came out. I believe that the DSM-5 was heavily influenced by political and economic concerns that were alarmed by the high rate of diagnosis under the DSM-4. I was diagnosed with AS with DSM-4 and I do not believe that I could get a diagnosis with the DSM-5. I have a granddaughter who is obviously a Aspie and her school agrees. When she was taken to a psychologist, the doc also agreed. But would not diagnose her. She did agree to help her once my daughter said that she did not want a diagnosis, just help for her daughter. Now she goes to consoling every week. She is learning to better deal with her weakness's and to better take advantage of her considerable strengths.

The eyes!

Sorry about your granddaughter - politics! I read once about a race of kind, competent beings in a far off solar system being enslaved by a small minority of snakes. They didn't feel justified in overthrowing their yoke of oppression through rebellion because their society had democratic elections; they were free to "choose" their own leader. But only the snakes were eligible to run

I'm glad your granddaughter is adjusting well. She's lucky to have a devoted grandad.