This new Facebook meme scares the crap out of me

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I also worry that this tragedy will somehow be used against my son. My ASD son is almost 4 and a sweetheart, however, he is still a baby and I don't know what the future holds.

As children grow older, if any of them show signs of being a danger to themselves or more importantly, a danger to others, I would not keep it a secret. I think once you cross the line where you are interested in killing other people, the authorities should be notified. I love all my children dearly, NTs and ASD, but it would hurt me more if I didn't do all I could do to prevent them from hurting or killing someone.

Sorry, twinplets, I wasn't meaning to imply that your post was wrong in any way - just that, as well as all his support here and being a book author, Mr. Robeson has a regular blog on Psychology Today - but he's one of "us."

On a completely different note - one of the things I've wondered to myself on numerous occasions - what if that family, any one of them, posted here for help? I hope, if so, that we were able to do something to offer that family some kind of support, even if it was only temporary.

momsparky - I wanted to clarify since I saw your post. I thought I might have been unclear when I quickly posted the link earlier. I didn't mean to give the mainstream media credit for writing the piece. Only for linking to it and getting that message out to the public that probably doesn't normally find or read such pieces.

As to your regard to support. I think some of the stickies at the top are some of the most valuable resources there are. Plus, finding a very qualified and appropriate specialist when seeking a diagnosis. A highly recommended/good quality doctor is a precious resource. I have met some real quacks in all fields of medicine.

The mother who wrote the article creeps me out. I dunno, that's just my gut feeling.

Two more links - the mother who wrote the initial post, and the response post printed here both wrote a joint retraction http://sarahkendzior.com/2012/12/17/a-j ... -and-liza/

I would note that this post is the one that needs to be publicized; I think it says most of the things we need to say - so please share it in your social media, etc.

I found that post in this article, which I consider to be an excellent overview of what happened: http://www.blogher.com/we-need-talk-about-adam-lanza

my son is 7 and since he was a toddler I have been seeking help for him. He isnt violent, but he has issues and I feel if he isnt cared for properly, he could grow up and have a difficult life. Becuase my son is HF, because he is samrt, in some areas gifted, beasue he can sit and behave reasonably well in an office, it has been extremely difficult over the years to get any professional to LISTEN to me.

I decided to homeschool my son casue I dont want him to be a target and I KNOW he would be, of bulying and teasing, and we all know what that CAN lead to.

When I take him to most professionals I hear, "send him to school and let them deal wityh it" When I bring it up at district meetings they want to deny my sons diagnosis, and put him in a typical class with 28 kids where he would never be able to hold it together. There is NO HELP out there for the gray areas. If your kid is NT, they know what to do for them, if they are disabled to the point of needing more help, they know what to do with them. A grey area kid like mine, they want to let him sink or swim.

I bring my son to Drs, therapists, neuros, etc...they just dont LISTEN to parents, neither does the district. What does a parent do??? It is a very sad state of affiars, and the kids suffer and in the long run we all suffer.

I decided to take matters into my own hands. My son will NOT be a product of the districts ill equipped plans, he will NOT be the target of bullys or teasing on a daily basis. He will NOT know what its like to go to school and be tormented casue he is "different". It is all I can do for now, that hand help him learn to fit in as best as he can. SO far so good....

Its scarey, I think if my son never changes, if he grows up thinking and acting the way he does now, if he never gets the big picture or understands that he has to conform or follow rules or pay attention, etc...what his future will be like. He is extremely intelligent, but as we all know that doesnt guarantee antyhing! And to get NO HELP, to be told to send him to the exact system that destroys kids like ours,...its maddening!

MMJMOM my son is almost 4 and clearly has needs so we are not in the same position. However, for those kids in the "gray" area, what types of services do you think would be helpful? I am still new to all of this and am not sure what services would be "ideal".

Couple of thoughts. I sympathize with the mom. We don' t walk in her shoes. I heard her speak in an interview. She did get permission from her son to go public. He wants to help others. I think the push to distinguish autism as not a mental illness is misguided? I know it's a touchy point. But people have a loose definition of mental illness. Plus seizures in the early part of this century were considered a mental illness. Depression, OCD, bipolar disorders, etc have a biochemical basis and genetic are being found. So are these mental illnesses once a test is found to measure neurotransmitter levels? We are getting close. Tests are in the research area just not common use.

So given that, what are you all saying about the "mentally ill" when you fight so hard to distinguish yourself?

Mentally ill has a connotation that "difference" does not. Maybe the term mentally ill should not be used for anyone, I don't know. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think the term "mentally ill" is used more for things that are considered to not have organic causes, NOT for things that do have neurological basis. I don't think many people on here would disagree that there is an organic basis to autism. So I would not use it for epilepsy and the like, either. That is also neurological.

I don't have any issues with rejecting the terminology of mentally ill. It doesn't mean I am judgmental about people who self describe with that term. I just don't like the baggage that surrounds it.