Comments from the autistic author of a book on autism found in Lanza's room
Part of an article that continues the search for why...
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Still many unanswered questions about Lanzas
Amanda Cuda
StamfordAdvocate.com
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{John Elder} Robison, who lives in Springfield, Mass., has Asperger's, one of many conditions on the autism spectrum -- several developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.
His book was found alongside other titles, including Daniel Tammet's "Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant," in the home shared by Adam and Nancy Lanza. Given that the other items found in the house included guns, more than a thousand rounds of ammunition, samurai swords, and other disturbing items, Robison said many of people have asked how he feels about the presence of his book at the Lanzas.
His answer is pragmatic. There has been speculation that Lanza had Asperger's or another autism spectrum disorder -- Robison said both his book and the Tammet title are among the most popular books about autism and Asperger's. "I guess it makes sense they would have my book," said Robison, who is also a member of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.
What doesn't make sense to him is the continued link between Asperger's and Adam Lanza's rampage. Like many other advocates for those on the spectrum, Robison said those with Asperger's and other forms of autism are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. In an impassioned blog post for the Psychology Today website, Robison wrote that "every time there's a speculation about a connection between Asperger's and murder, innocent people are put at risk."
During a phone interview, he argued that media reports that mention that Adam Lanza might have had Asperger's alongside accounts of his mayhem are akin to correlating violent behaviors with someone's race or religion.
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Read more: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Still-many-unanswered-questions-about-Lanzas-4397528.php#ixzz2P7ZhIIjW