THE BLACKBURN REPORT

News and Opinion Based on Facts

Monday, December 17, 2012

Does Asperger's Lead To Violence?

Not according to most experts. An official said the shooter in Newtown had Aperger's syndrome, but there is no known connection between the disorder and violence. Asperger's is a mild form of autism characterized by social awkwardness. Not much is known about Adam Lanza, identified by the police as the shooter at the Newtown Elementary School. He fatally shot his mother before going to the school and killing 20 children, six adults and himself. High school classmates have described him as bright but socially awkward and painfully shy. Reseach suggests that people with autism do have a higher rate of aggressive behavior than the general population, but not the type of planned and intentional violence seen in Newtown.

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