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I wrote a column for CNN: Leave autism out of mass shootings

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alex
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22 Dec 2012, 1:58 pm

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/21/opinion/p ... ?hpt=op_t1

Quote:
Editor's note: Alex Plank is the founder of WrongPlanet.net, an online community for people to discuss autism.
(CNN) -- After the horrific shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, a parade of self-appointed experts tried to insinuate that people with autism are prone to inexplicable acts of violence because they lack the ability for empathy and social connection. This is because the shooter, Adam Lanza, had been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism.
These speculations are needless, untrue and hurtful.


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ianorlin
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22 Dec 2012, 2:11 pm

Good job.



Misslizard
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22 Dec 2012, 2:35 pm

Very well written.



SoftKitty
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22 Dec 2012, 2:43 pm

alex wrote:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/21/opinion/plank-autism-newtown/index.html?hpt=op_t1

Quote:
Editor's note: Alex Plank is the founder of WrongPlanet.net, an online community for people to discuss autism.
(CNN) -- After the horrific shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, a parade of self-appointed experts tried to insinuate that people with autism are prone to inexplicable acts of violence because they lack the ability for empathy and social connection. This is because the shooter, Adam Lanza, had been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism.
These speculations are needless, untrue and hurtful.


Thank you Alex. We need more (articulate) people like you.
BTW, for some reason, I thought you never participate in the forum. Talking to you here is like talking to Mark Zuckerberg. You too are the kind of a guy that one can hardly meet.


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answeraspergers
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22 Dec 2012, 3:25 pm

Well done.

I believe that people eventually become their labels. You can only keep out the judgements of others from your self-image so long. Its a truly toxic experience to have peoples ignorance projected onto you. Socially, people make quick mental shortcuts because its easier than learning. You have to make it simple for them.

The way I see it, the most elemental fear is the unknown and AS remains largely unknown. In fact its about to vanish as an entity.



Last edited by answeraspergers on 22 Dec 2012, 3:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

alpineglow
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22 Dec 2012, 3:34 pm

Just read it. Nice writing, Alex. Thanks for standing up and saying the truth. Hope it's o.k. to post here, to me just felt adding a comment was important in this situation.



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22 Dec 2012, 3:37 pm

Good article, Alex. I wish I hadn't started reading the comments, though. :wall:



PHISHA51
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22 Dec 2012, 6:10 pm

I like it. :thumright:



Sylkat
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22 Dec 2012, 9:00 pm

Thank you, Alex.

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alex
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22 Dec 2012, 9:31 pm

SoftKitty wrote:
alex wrote:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/21/opinion/plank-autism-newtown/index.html?hpt=op_t1

Quote:
Editor's note: Alex Plank is the founder of WrongPlanet.net, an online community for people to discuss autism.
(CNN) -- After the horrific shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, a parade of self-appointed experts tried to insinuate that people with autism are prone to inexplicable acts of violence because they lack the ability for empathy and social connection. This is because the shooter, Adam Lanza, had been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism.
These speculations are needless, untrue and hurtful.


Thank you Alex. We need more (articulate) people like you.
BTW, for some reason, I thought you never participate in the forum. Talking to you here is like talking to Mark Zuckerberg. You too are the kind of a guy that one can hardly meet.


Thanks! Running the site takes a lot of time but I try to post as much as I can.

It's great to meet you nonetheless!


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Fnord
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22 Dec 2012, 9:49 pm

Thank you, Alex.

Would it make a difference for more of us to send similar essays to CNN?

How about other news outlets?

Except Faux News, of course.



ShelbyGt500
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22 Dec 2012, 11:19 pm

Good job. More than ever, being on the spectrum is going to be a team effort.



alex
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23 Dec 2012, 3:16 am

Fnord wrote:
Thank you, Alex.

Would it make a difference for more of us to send similar essays to CNN?

How about other news outlets?

Except Faux News, of course.


Yes, sending things to all the news outlets (including fox news) would help. They sought me out and asked me to write this article and I did because it's an important subject. I'm happy CNN is shedding light on it.


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23 Dec 2012, 6:21 am

I don't think any mental disorder that someone displays should be left out -- whether it's to say that it wasn't a factor at all or that it was (there's a possibility that an ASD can affect violent crime in some way, even if it's not the cause).

Autism shouldn't get any special treatment.



SoftKitty
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23 Dec 2012, 7:08 am

alex wrote:
SoftKitty wrote:
alex wrote:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/21/opinion/plank-autism-newtown/index.html?hpt=op_t1

Quote:
Editor's note: Alex Plank is the founder of WrongPlanet.net, an online community for people to discuss autism.
(CNN) -- After the horrific shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, a parade of self-appointed experts tried to insinuate that people with autism are prone to inexplicable acts of violence because they lack the ability for empathy and social connection. This is because the shooter, Adam Lanza, had been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism.
These speculations are needless, untrue and hurtful.


Thank you Alex. We need more (articulate) people like you.
BTW, for some reason, I thought you never participate in the forum. Talking to you here is like talking to Mark Zuckerberg. You too are the kind of a guy that one can hardly meet.


Thanks! Running the site takes a lot of time but I try to post as much as I can.

It's great to meet you nonetheless!


Great to talk to you, too. I did not expect that you would talk to me. Merry X-Mas!


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23 Dec 2012, 7:19 am

The article was well written and informative. But by not acknowledging their concern, it does not lead to understanding.


There is reason for people of all types being restricted from buying many guns until age 21. They are not considered competent or stable and safe enough by law.
Teens are going through hormonal shifts, brain changes.
While ok to use under supervision, guns need to be fully secured from those who can't pass a background check. That includes the under 21 crowd. Teens also have friends

Please allow us to get this message home to parents. Secure the guns from people who can't qualify on their own. There are no nice teens who would never harm someone. We all have the potential if pushed, but by 21 people have rights. So let's not pretend any kid is 100% safe.


Also there obviously is some mixed mental health issue in Adam Lanza and some evidence like in other cases of a failure of the system to get violent young people into good treatment. And for young kids even worse or those newly allowed to take over their life at 18. It would help if people with violent tendencies and thoughts would write the public and Congress your problems in getting help. This type of issue is what should have been in the health care debate. I have an extended family member with a kid at risk of violence, and it's escalating. So why are the hospitalization days limited and no coverage for a residential stay? Why must a crime be committed before he gets help?