Virginia Tech, Autism, and Violence.

[AussieAspie]

If you really want to prove such a theory, why don't you research the dichotomy of Asperger's (AS is known to be several dozen different 'conditions' under the one label; a spectrum within a spectrum). Find out if certain subtypes (e.g. type 6a or 29q) have a predisposition to violence or general criminality, and stop labelling the majority who have actually have 'different conditions' (with some core 'similarities') but people like you have drawn a line in the sand and lumped us all together.

[AussieAspie]

You only put "Virginia Tech" in the title because you are trying to draw the fearful and ignorant to your video. Your conspiracy theory approach about the Virginia Tech shooter doesn't hold water...where is this mythical Asperger's diagnosis??? Depression, Social Anxiety and Selective Mutism are an awful long way from an Asperger's diagnosis, you're just reading every third line and contorting the evidence in an attempt to prove your theory.

[imperfectionKillz]

My brother has Asperger's. He has been fixated on my death since I was born. He's tried to drown me in the pool numerous times, suffocate me when I was sleeping, body slam me like the pro wrestlers, choke and punch me, and nail me with baseballs. The verbal abuse is much worse. He pushed suicide on me after he got in serious trouble after one assault that my school addressed. The funny thing is, no one would ever know it outside our family. It's hush, hush. I love him, but he is dangerous.

[BarryGormley2010]

Your logic is extreamly faulty. The reason we know men are more violent than women is because the vast majority of violant crimes are commited by males. People with Autism are a tiny minority and the fact that you can find a tiny minority of them who have commited violent crimes proves nothing.Im sure I can find plenty of blue eyed people who are violent too.If anything these findings just prove that Autistic people are EQUALLY as likely to be violant as any neurotypical person.

[ElectricShark]

My thoughts on Dr. Silva

I respect him as a professional BUT the reason Autistic people commit violent crimes is because society in general is violent towards them.

I was attacked by a gang of girls when I was younger and I did not defend myself.

I bet if I had, Silva would have leapt to a conclusion and called me an autistic danger to society.

I just feel he lumps all Autistic people in one category as violent and does not see us as true sentinent real corporeal beings. He sees us as shit.

[CDB8510]

@multisnootyundead: Why institutionalized? What about just let us Aspergia have???

It would for both your and our people better make...

[hollh003]

@multisnootyundead Ok, and while your at it why don't you also lock up the non-autistic people. After all there are much more non autistic killers than autistic ones. If you don't belive me just look on the internet.

[J0ltC0la]

The report on the VT massacre specifically ruled out the possibility that the shooter had an ASD.

[lurconis666]

The social inhibitions and the inability to connect socially to other people can be a major factor in developing feelings of inadequacy, frustration and over time homocidal thinking, but by itself there is not a direct link. Like with any isolated / misunderstood / cast out person, homocidal tendencies can be prevented, even countered by imbuing the individual with (the tools to) a feeling of self worth and acceptance. Family is perfect but if inavailable there are specialized life counsellors.

[PhilMyBod41]

i can still to this day recount everything done to me a youngster with as.now at the age of 41 i understand why some of us want revenge an elephant never forgets!!!

[PinkPunkyKat]

Because he was bullied religiously and retaliated.

[PinkPunkyKat]

Because we get sick of being bullied and retaliate.

[DChatc]

Also, let us not rule out what seems to be the most important factor: Anti-depressants.

[ShockDoc]

Thank you for your efforts to help. My autistic son is 11 and is beginning to get violent with my wife. Meds (particularly rispodahl (sp) ) seem to have aggravated the problem, and we're weaning him off at present. Not good here. If there IS research going on re; autism they're awfully damn slow in their work.

[DChatc]

@ShockDoc: Yes, that is usually the case.

I tend to think that a vast majority of the complications associated with "Autism" seem to be environmental and particularly biochemical in nature. This is why I do not think Aspergers to be part of an "Autism Spectrum", but rather that Autism is simply a condition that occurs within Aspergers.

[MONIQUEIJ]

no way thats untrue his austism have nothing to do with that,

[GirlsAloud01Fan2009]

Do I have AUSTISUM because i am always my face has a nervous twitch and i often always look around me and see and hear thinngs. I am always violent and aggresive with my familyand my mother is putting me in a mental health hospital am so scared. please reply. do i realy have it or do i have something else.

[PCDWestby]

ASA has statistics indicating that 22 people used AS as a defense in a violent crime case, or 4.5 a year. Out of almost1.5 violent crimes in a year (FBI UCR 2006), that's not significant. I would look to other conditions than autism, including socioeconomic ones, and I'd look to "neurologically typical" people, since they are in the majority and are therefore probably more likely to be the one committing crime. Anecdotes are not evidence.

[sugarbabyuk]

ted bundy? dennis rader?

[DChatc]

I think Silva was very sloppy and irresponsable with his study.

[DChatc]

I do not see inherent violence in AS and allot of what I just heard here in these anacdotes sound utterly rediculous.

The association between AS and violence seems more reflective of a VERY VIOLENT AND CRUEL WORLD.

Silva's theory about autistic serial killers (of whome the only AS sounding cases were NOT compulsive serial killers at all but deliberate mass murderers like Kaczinsky) sounds quite dubious (Bundy, Dahmer et al were all predatory social animals who killed impulsively).

[DChatc]

Cho was basically another disenfranchized person who apparently miscalculated his future potential and decided to invest his energies in an intricate revenge stratagy that would result in the destruction of his enemies (in this case, his age group) and the attention of their parents.

If there is anything AS factors into this at all, it is that especially angy people with AS tend to be more deliberate in their vengiance, thus could pull-off incredible damage if not given a way out early on.

[NadezhdaRozagy1]

I have Asperger's and I do have a lot of empathy. Maybe, it's because I'm a girl and have 2 kids (also autistic but they are boys and are very loving and caring). I think ppls with autism who have been severely abused as kids and bullied can become aggressive and lack in empathy. Others with autism who had at least one caregiver who treated them with dignity and respect grow up to be harmless and kind. End of

[antiautism]

They're never harmless, just look at Jeffrey Dahmer, Ed Gein, Ted Kacynski, Joel Rifkin, or Jack McClellan

[DChatc]

Kaczynski is the ONLY one amongst that "serial killer" group that comes close to having AS (and he was by no means a serial killer, serial killers follow compulsions, Kaczynski was very deliberate in his acts), and even that is a bit questionable.

It appears to me that AS people, when in especially negative social circumstances, tend to become mass murderers rather than serial killers (who are not only socially savvy but also driven by twisted social desires, specifically dealing with women).

[cartoontroll]

It seems like you've used a lot of information that you yourself say is not really valid. If we are interested in the truth, why not use only valid information? As for the girl who was raped by an autistic man, if he were not autistic, would you be campaigning against nuerotypical men? I don't see the autism as the main factor in his violent behavior. If it were, we wouldn't have so many NT rapists, would we? Of course there are violent people with ASDs. There are violent people in any subgroup.

[gamiezion]

gotta hear ya here

i also had to hear that i must be a violent, disrespectfull, arrogant ahole

yet, if you listen to what i say, youd hear i only challange immoral behaviour and honour morals and values

if i am aggresive to someone its either because im completely stressed out, if its aimed towards a person (hasnt happend in 7 years) its because theyre dead wrong on something and acting (in my eyes) violently towards me

ill always try to find a peacefull way out though

[drknsqueen]

thank you for your vid.. it was so helpful. I think if the mental health system here would have been better, that crime would have been avoided. Cho's behavior was so bizarre towards the end. But the facilities to intervene in a person's desent into madness are not in place in Va.

[aspie101]

The sadistic traits might be an innate defense mechanism. When you think about it, many autistics are the target of bulling. Many auristics have also been murdered by their caretakers, peers, and parents.

Normally, we tend to be sweet and innocent, but if we know that we are about to be assualted, we will resist. That's nature right there.

[TanjaKoch]

Are you saying I somehow deserved to be raped?

[NadezhdaRozagy1]

nobody said that

[TanjaKoch]

Yes he did.

[LordMilitant3]

Tanja Koch was raped by her Autistic friend. You can come to my channel and she's one of my friends if you want to see her's.

[NadezhdaRozagy1]

I'n autistic and I was close to being raped (I fought the bastard off and escaped) by a 'normal' man. When I called the police he denied it and the police abused me verbally and when I got upset and cried they called me 'craz' and siad that if I didn't leave right away they'd arrest me. I complained for a year and all I got was more excuses and more hostile attitude. How's that right?

[antiautism]

because you're a worthless autistic shit so you're wasting the police's time when they could be serving worthy normal human beings unlike yourself

[bivyt]

whats your friken problem, i have aspergers and im equal to everyone else, so is everybody else with autism. God made us all the same, people with aspergers/autism have more dignity and kindness than u ever will

[Locke1217]

this guys an idiot

[gwynethsidhe]

Nobody's saying that autism means they have to be violent, but there have been studies that show that it raises that possibility more than in normal people. I know someone whose child is autistic, violent, 7 years old, and has an IQ of 60. This is very real, he killed the dog and attacks the other children with scissors at school. But that is not to say that all autistic kids have violent tendencies. Society needs to help the parents more. The system doesn't really work too well.

[dangerbird89]

I think that because autistic people are made fun of ten times as much as neurotypicals, that it is remarkable the crime rate is relatively equal between neurotypicals and asperger kids. I think this could demonstrate possibly that autistic kids are less likely to be provoked into violence because they are probably used to being made fun of their whole life.

[Locke1217]

the people who are the real criminals are the hereditary defects who put down others who are greater than them. if only aspergerians had the dominant brain model society would be peaceful. its time we put an end to this disease called neurotypical. this neurotypical in this video is obviously extremely mentally ill. to bad he can't see how great his son is, but that comes with the disease. its a shame people such as his type are not executed.

[82ndcadia]

lol wut?

[eromi1973]

There is loads of literature, i don't think you've read it though

[PerunsAxe]

There was an interesting diagram that placed Asperger's Syndrome between Sociopath and Creative / Genius. We have an wider associative horizon and higher level of conscientiousness, when this is combined with high intelligence the person will most likely be creative and exceptional ones will be geniuses in the sense of a Newton or Kant. We should have environments that fosters the creative genius and not the sociopath.

[ElectricShark]

Agreed.

[TanjaKoch]

Thank you. How did you find out about this video or that I was mentioned here?

[brobyodog]

He's a professional smart guy.

[AuRatio]

Probably any increase in violence in autistics (which I won't flat out deny without data to support) would have something to do with the way we are constantly ridiculed and/or locked up in institutions; this has a very damaging effect psychologically.

[AuRatio]

They found out Cho wasn't autistic, I think. Also, the whole empathy/Theory of mind deficits that are in autism are often in the literature oversimplified. For instance, I fail the Sally-Anne test, but I can look at how someone's background will influence their perspectives. I have often been accused of being cold and uncaring because I wasn't using the expected body language to show it.

[downmama]

Son w/D.S. N Rm w/vio boy. No 1 will help Ether of them. scared 4both. He needs prot frm hmslf.

[lauramommy25]

Oh and I want to add he was dx'd PDD-NOS by age 2, Aspergers by age 5, and is now 6. My daughter is 4. He still becomes very angry with her but now knows to walk away and get some alone time, or I will engage them in different activities. He is usualy very sweet, innocent, loves to laugh.

[lauramommy25]

I also took my son to behavioral therapy weekly for a year with my toddler daughter, where the therapist worked on interacting with her, teaching my son how to treat her. Thank you for your baby out the window information - this is why I now have to take Xanax. I lived in constant fear for her first two years of life, but as the sibling gets oler it does get better.

[lauramommy25]

Thank you so much for this video. My child was 2 when our daughter was born. He tried to strangle her to death multiple times, broke her arm at 18 months old, and often told me "Just kill her Mommy". He is diagnosed Aspergers, diagnosed by age 2, and is not 6. I think it is important for parents to recognize the need for ange management techniques fo our kids.

[50oldschool44]

intretingly, they have recently revised cho's history and now say he had selective mutism. The media evenprovided "experts" to say that selective mutism is not related to autism. However if one understands what autism is, there is definately a relationship between the two. Selective mutism should be seen as one possible symptom of ASD.

[abram730]

I would point out that I seem to notice a stronger connection to prescribed drugs and violence. Why do people act like cho was some cray person.. I listened to his tapes and I saw not sines of insanity.

[abram730]

I would argue that the comment about Jesus being burned alive was true, but I have no idea about the digging his grave or having his throat slit part. 33 dead as I count cho as a victim. Well if not the only one and it was on the popes birthday and Jesus was said to of lived for 33 years.

Why do you portray normal people as caring when that is so untrue in most cases?

[hobofreakchild]

um.... explosives in the mail? who would waste the time on this guy

[PotatoeDallas]

violence, v-tech AND autism? what a bombshell

plus the vid time is 9 mins and 11 secs

controvveerssyyy

LMFAOO

[sure01]

People were shocked and tried to find a reason why the kid killed. Autism don't make it easy to sociolise and express ourselves. The anger grew in his chest and he just decided to express that anger. He wanted to be a writer and the teacher/students destroyed his pride. Autism did not help him get rid of the anger but kepts it inside... however deciding to kill is not a symptom of autism. Having access to guns can drive anybody to commit those acts because it gives power and confidence.

[dadwas8mtrs]

i have some friends with autism i mean serious they cant speak and both of them have epilepsy sometimes they might get violent but i think its frustration from the person to be honest

[masslib]

Interesting video. The reason why people in the Autism community get concerned about news reporting of ASD is because when events like the VTECH Massacre happen, people are LESS not more likely to want to help people with Autism or Asperger's due to fear. I have Asperger's and while I get angry and cuss people out at times, I have NEVER had the desire to shoot people up.

[travelplus1]

Your views are quite valid and I am glad you took the time to share this with the YouTube Community. I think we can learn from your points to work with Autistic Individuals to express their feelings before acting upon them. Your videos are very inspirational and I wish Hunter,your wife and you all the best. I know Hunter will be a great person who will give back to the community as an adult. He is smart and is cute. God Bless!

[dunleavym]

You are Brave!! You are very good thanks!!

[dunleavym]

Is society not supposed to talk about this? SOME Mothers with post partum depression want to injure themselves or their children are we not supposed to talk about it...? The more you know the more parents, schools, friends can help a person. Some research is inaccurate some is credible. He just explained that. I believe alot more was going on with the Virginia Tech student. But hey, I am open to discuss it.

[masslib]

Dunleavym, people in the Autism community don't want to talk about it because Autism is not widely understood in our society.

[dunleavym]

Don't twist this mans words. Not all aspects of Asperger's is friggin fantastic. Yes my kid is unique, yes he has weaknesses and strengths like any other person. Parents of Autistic children WANT research done, it is past due & for these children it is well deserved. Is society not supposed to talk about this?

[naushadisgay]

stfu old ass mother fcker

[psypho]

Fuck you Naushadisgay. First off, burn in hell, and second, I hope you wind up with an Autistic kid so that way you can live with and know how Fuckin unbelievably shitty it is being in that type of situation - so fuck off.

[Acerimmer12]

He has an autistic son you muppet it's the first thing he says on the video.

[Nodrog666]

I couldn't breathe when I heard you talk about a fixation with weaponry. I have commented previously on another video you have made. I too have aspergers and I too have an odd fixation with weaponry. But I do have regard and empathy for human life. I like just about everything about a gun except their primary role: to kill. I just hope I don't end up like the kid in the Virginia Tech massacre.

[atwhite57]

You won't end up like him because you have empathy. Fixations are a part of Aspergers.

[Nodrog666]

Thank you.

[DChatc]

@Nodrog666: Don't ever worry about that! It's just common sense in a dangerous world, and anyone who tries to make you feel bad for it are just naive or are criminals themselves (plus I, myself an Aspie, have such fixations, and I love military hardware, uniforms and ensignia and collected plastic models throughout the later part of my youth)!

Go on, be safe, and be proud!

[maakmeblij]

Interesting, appreciate your integrity. Biased thoughts based on fears damage many scientific papers. Take care, the both of you.

[dangerbird89]

When i talk to someone or am listening to someone i cant think clearly unless i move my eyes, its like im searching for thoughts and if i dont move my eyes i cant think. Maybe i have ADD cause i find it hard to sit still also

[AspieForFreedom]

AtWhite57:

Just because your Aspergers doesnt mean your a psychopathic like this Virginia Tech guy. I think its ignorant to suggest this.

[atwhite57]

The research claims that there may be a higher rate of certain crimes in Aspergers disorder, just as there are more violent crimes in men. That is a far cry from saying that all men, or all Aspergers are criminals. The percentage may be small.

[fastj999]

Agreed. I think you made an unbiased representation of this. Like you said, he was fairly undocumented, mainly because of the cultural problems that some countries (Korea as an example) have in discussing developmental disorders.

[aspie101]

@atwhite57 There could be a close relationship between autism and skitzophrenia.

[dunleavym]

Don't twist this mans words. Not all aspects of Asperger's is friggin fantastic. Yes my kid is unique, yes he has weaknesses and strengths like any other person.

[atwhite57]

Christschool:

Again, you are expressing some of what my conversation was with Silva. Since it isn't a major factor, what is the purpose of this type of "research". If the research has such serious flaws as he admits his does, why publish it? I asked Silva to consult with actual autism experts to get they're read on his theories. He did, including Frith, Frombonne, and Baron-Cohen. He claims they didn't respond.

[atwhite57]

Christschool:

Your correct, he is a psychological criminologist. Schizoid personality can be mistaken for autism, if the researcher isn't aware of how the autistic mind works. Another possibility with Cho would be narcissistic personality disorder, which is more closely linked to what I know of his personality.

[PhilCommander2]

well done video and kudos to you for taking on a controversial subject and handling it with objectivity.

[atwhite57]

Christschool:

Silva is really not very good at understanding autistic people. I've communicated with him. I asked him some simple questions about autism, and he wasn't able to answer them. He admits to not really knowing autistic people and he only does anectdotal observations. Your critique of him was very good. They are the same problems I have brought up with him. He's basically trying to be "original". I think Cho was probably an anti-social disorder like Manson.

[atwhite57]

Lordalfredhenry:

I found this rather interesting. More because by understanding the real facts of this matter, there can be more understanding by society which will help change society to better accomodate us. By the same token, we might recognize where the warning sign stereotypes are occuring. (some of us)

[lordalfredhenry]

Thanks for preserving the comments. I've added a rating. I was going to do a video response. I'll send you a private showing of it.