Sandy Hook Shooter Had Asperger's, But Disorder Not Linked to Violence

Adam Lanza was diagnosed with mild autism

Adam Lanza, the shooter who killed 20 children after opening gunfire at their Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn. on Friday, had Asperger's syndrome, but experts say there is there is no connection between the disorder and violence. Asperger's is a mild form of autism and can be characterized as having poor social skills, repetitive behavior or interests and problems communicating. Unlike classic autism, however, it does not typically involve delays in mental development or speech. Research suggests people with autism do have a higher rate of aggressive behavior — outbursts, shoving or pushing or angry shouting — than the general population, "but we are not talking about the kind of planned and intentional type of violence we have seen at Newtown," said psychologist Eric Butter. High school classmates have described Lanza as bright but shy, anxious and a loner. Earlier this month, it was announced that the term Asperger's would be dropped from the diagnostic manual used by the nation's psychiatrists. It will be incorporated under the umbrella term "autism spectrum disorder" for all the ranges of autism. (USA Today)

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