At Empowering Learning we have a great deal of respect for these guys, at http://www.aspergerexperts.com, they know much about Asperger’s from the inside and are articulating the challenges and solutions. This is their post today
As you all may have heard, there was a mass shooting in California that took the lives of 7 people (including the shooter) and injured nearly a dozen more. You may be asking, “Why is this on our page? Haven’t we heard enough about this?”
It has just been revealed that the shooter, Elliot Rodger, had Asperger’s Syndrome. So, in light of all the bad press and hateful comments that have spawned from this tragic event, we figured it was time to step in.
Rodger’s Asperger’s did not cause this, nor was it relevant in any way, shape, or form. Usually, when someone commits a heinous crime such as the one in question, it’s because of a lack of connection with others or trauma of some kind that is NOT related to Asperger’s.
We are not condoning this senseless act of violence. In fact, we are saddened and disgusted that such deplorable acts are still common in today’s world. However, instead of wasting time, energy, and resources on blaming Asperger’s, we know that the best thing to do now is teach. It’s even more important now, in light of this unspeakable tragedy, that we empower, enliven, and educate not just those with Asperger’s, but every human being on the planet.
Law enforcement officials and other prominent members of our society drive themselves crazy attempting to find an external solution, a law, a bill, SOMETHING that will prevent this.
What they don’t realize is that the solution is not external. It’s internal, and it always has been. Elliot Rodger was very, very sad. We did not know him, but we can pretty much guarantee that he was sad, broken, and desperate. Human connection is essential to our physical and mental health, and anyone deprived of that has the potential to be very dangerous. Notice how the word “Asperger’s” was nowhere in that sentence. That’s because it is NOT RELEVANT. Everyone feels sad. Everyone feels pain. It was Rodger’s decision in that instant and his response to his own agony that took those lives, not his Asperger’s.
So what is the solution? There are several. LOVE. UNDERSTANDING. FORGIVENESS. Eliot Rodger may have been loved by his parents, he may have had an amazing support system, but if he was unaware of that and didn’t feel it, then it doesn’t matter.
SHOW someone how much you love them. Nurture, love, and understand them and all that they are. This just further emphasizes the importance of caring for others and loving them BECAUSE of their differences. Not in spite of them.
– Hayden
P.S. If you are a member of the media and would like us to comment further on the situation, emailhayden@aspergerexperts.com
Asperger Experts LLC, 1425 Broadway #20-3641, Seattle WA, 98122
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