Was the Virginia Tech Shooter Autistic or Not?
The word many of us feared hearing in association with Virginia Tech shooter Cho Seung-Hui is now being used.
A translated CNN interview with Cho's elderly great-aunt in South Korea, shown in video form and transcribed in articles on the CNN site, included a passage stating that he was "very cold," and when his parents brought him to the U.S., he was diagnosed with autism.
That was enough to get the presses rolling. The autism reference has turned up in news stories around the Web, been blogged about by concerned parents, and acknowledged in a press release by AutismLink, which apparently wanted to be the first to point out that autistic kids aren't killers, and that Cho probably didn't get good early intervention services.
Funny thing is, though: The one place you won't find that autism reference now is on the CNN site. It's been removed from the video and from articles that quote the great-aunt's interview. He's still "very cold" and an "idiot," but not diagnosed with anything.
So what's the deal? Was it a mistranslation? A misremembering by an elderly woman? Where did the reference go, and why is there no explanation? This is the sort of cat that, once it's out of the bag, is hard to get back in. If it's on CNN, it's reported as fact, and that's that. If it's going to be off CNN, because it's not true, could we get a press release on that, please?
For more discussion of autism and the Virginia Tech shooting, visit these sites:The video interview with Cho's great-aunt is currently accessible at CNN.com -- clink the link for "Cho's relatives speak" under Most Watched Videos.
Comments
According to The Guardian Unlimited, there are no actual records documenting this diagnosis.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6578834,00.html
As a VT graduate, I am greatly saddened by the tragic events in Blacksburg. Learning that the troubled young man responsible for the shootings might have been autistic only makes it more difficult to deal with. Ironically, April is Autism Awareness Month. As the parent of a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome and someone who has struggled with autism throughout my life, I pray that the media and members of the public will work to educate themselves about autism spectrum disorders, and what they are and are not. I’m told that early diagnosis and effective treatment are critical toward ensuring that those with autism can maximize their potential and learn to function effectively in society. I also believe that efforts by society to gain a better understanding of the challenges facing individuals with autism would go a long way toward preventing tragedies such as this. As long as people mock and ridicule behavior that is different rather than seeking to understand and empathize, society will set the stage for continued hardship and isolation of persons with autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities. Violence is NOT a natural outgrowth of autism. Indeed, many individuals with autism are withdrawn and keep quietly to themselves– either because of the comfort found in solitude (often, the need to avoid sensory overstimulation), preoccupation with their own thoughts, or the overwhelming fear and anxiety associated with navigating social minefields and being judged and misunderstood by others. Yet, when individuals with autism do not receive the support they need, are ostracized because they’re “quiet,” “odd,” or otherwise “different”– and comorbid psychological conditions take hold and remain untreated, the potential for tragedy remains. Moreover, as long as families and individuals avoid seeking appropriate treatment because of the stigma, shame, or out of fear or ignorance, the needless suffering will continue. Autism spectrum disorders (and even more so, when combined with other mental disorder) manifest themselves in many different ways–so just as it’s important not to pass judgment on the whole Korean-American community based on the actions of one, very disturbed individual, so is it important that the public not judge all persons with autism spectrum or other psychological disorders based on the violent actions of this one individual. Arm yourself with knowledge and compassion; seek to learn and understand, rather than to judge. If you’re looking for a way to remember the lives of these shooting victims with an appropriate memorial in a way that could really have an impact, consider a donation to the Autism Society of Ameria, Cure Autism Now!, or another foundation that supports research and treatment for autism.