Asperger’s Syndrome and the Gunman in the Connecticut Grade School Shooting
While an official reported that the 20-year-old gunman in the Connecticut school shooting had Asperger’s Syndrome, experts say there is no connection between the disorder and violence.
“There really is no clear association between Asperger’s and violent behavior,” said psychologist Elizabeth Laugeson, an assistant clinical professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Psychologist Eric Butter of Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, who treats autism, including Asperger’s, but has no knowledge of the Connecticut case said, “Research suggests people with autism do have a higher rate of aggressive behavior than the general population”.
“But we are not talking about the kind of planned and intentional type of violence we have seen at Newtown” he said.
As of early December 2012, the term Asperger’s Syndrome is being dropped from the diagnostic manual used by the USA psychiatrists. Asperger’s will be incorporated under an umbrella term “autism spectrum disorder” for all the ranges of autism.
Although there are many symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome, the main symptom is significant trouble with social situations.
A child may have mild to severe symptoms or have a few or many of these symptoms. Because of the wide variety of symptoms, no two children with Asperger’s are alike. Although the condition is similar to autism, a child with Asperger’s Syndrome typically has normal language and intellectual development.
Some Childhood Symptoms:
- Does not pick up on social cues and may lack inborn social skills.
- Dislikes any changes in routines.
- Appears to lack empathy.
- Be unable to recognize subtle differences in speech tone, pitch, and accent that alter meaning
- Avoid eye contact or stare at others.
- Have unusual facial expressions or postures.
- Be preoccupied with only one or few interests, which he/she may be very knowledgeable about.
- Talks a lot, usually about a favorite subject. One-sided conversations are common.
- Have delayed motor development, may be late in learning to use a fork or spoon, ride a bike, or catch a ball or may have an awkward walk.
- Have heightened sensitivity and overstimulation by loud noises, lights, or strong tastes
Symptoms during teen years:
Most symptoms last through the teen years and although teens with Asperger’s can begin to learn the social skills they lack, communication usually remain hard. They will probably still have difficulty “reading” others’ behavior.
A teen with Asperger’s Syndrome will want friends but may feel shy when approaching others. He or she may feel “different”. Teens with Asperger’s may find it emotionally draining to try to fit in. They may be immature, naive and too trusting, which can lead to teasing and bullying.
Some teens with Asperger’s Syndrome can make and keep a few close friends during school years. Some of the classic Asperger’s traits may also work to a teen’s benefit. Teens with Asperger’s are not typically interested in following social norms, fads, or popular thinking, allowing creative thinking and the pursuit of original interests. Their fondness for rules and honesty may help them be successful in school and later as citizens.
Symptoms in adulthood:
Asperger’s Syndrome is a lifelong condition, although it can stabilize over time and improvements are often seen. Adults usually have a better understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses. They are able to learn social skills, including how to read others’ social cues. Many people with Asperger’s Syndrome marry and have children.
Some traits that are common for Asperger’s Syndrome, such as attention to detail can increase chances of excelling at university and a career. Many people with Asperger’s seem to be captivated with technology, and a common career choice is engineering.
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