Comments on: Stop blaming Asperger’s Syndrome for Elliot Rodger’s Rampage – Opinion

By: Roberta Hill

Roberta Hill — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 09:37:24 +0000

In reply to David.

Correlation is not causation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Correlation_does_not_imply_causation

By: David

David — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 16:12:29 +0000

Just another note, Harper-Mercer had Aspberger’s as well. That makes the Sandy Hook, UCC and possible this guy all having the same? How is that not something to look in to?

By: Christie Hathcoc

Christie Hathcoc — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 04:44:56 +0000

There’s a HUGE difference between obvious Aspergers and High Functioning Un-treated Aspergers. So it’s still possible that he did suffer somewhere on the scale between Aspergers. Especially when the “scale” is still under construction (so to speak) People with Aspbergers don’t have narcissistic tendencies they have a way of communicating that make others believe they are narcissistic. People from the mental health community don’t want to be blamed for his behavior anymore than people from the Aspergers or Autistic community. When really, it’s stupid to pass blame and judgement in the wake of a tragedy. Both Aspergers, Autistic and Mentally ill fear being the “towns peoples” Frankenstein. It is no more clear that he’s a psychopath, maligned narcissist or somone with Aspergers so stop throwing down pop-psychology terms as if you know what you are talking about. Because even if you studied any of these topics, you CAN NOT diagnose him because he’s not your dam client.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 22:17:02 +0000

In reply to Ellwood Knight Owl. The court documents only refer to the fact that the mother alleged Elliot had special needs and Aspergers. There was never an actual diagnosis. So please read the fine print and don't believe everything you hear or read from one source? This is not a simple black and white issue where there was just one cause contributing to this tragedy. Did you read the entire manifesto? Before anyone forms any opinion, they should read it and do some more research. This is a brutally honest uncensored autobiography that sheds much light on the situation. This was a shy kid in transition trying desperately to fit in. His rage was due to a combination of his inherent personality makeup including an introverted yet narcissistic disposition (the latter partly fueled by his parents emphasis on materialism lacking spiritual substance), the victim of extreme bullying which led to increasing isolation, retreat to violent video games and inner conflict. He may have been more in the schizophrenic spectrum as he had delusions of grander especially toward the end. But this is a feature of narcissistic personality disorder as well. Maybe he had both schizophrenia and narcissism, which is what many believe Hitler had. In fact if you read the end of Rodgers manifesto, his ideal world which consists of quarantine women into concentration camps while he watches them die from his tower, is very similar to Hitlers world. We will never know for sure what this guy had.

By: david

david — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 18:45:14 +0000

In reply to Carolina. Thank you for connecting me to this article . I do have a diagnosis for Aspergers using the European diagnostic scale . The scale differs from the American one . I have wondered if my diagnosis was correct . I certainly don't have narcissistic tendency . I sort to defend someone I thought was a fellow sufferer. I realise that this diagnosis is being subsumed by one for autism spectrum disorder . I don't think I have autism especially after reading that article .

By: Shelby

Shelby — Sat, 31 May 2014 15:44:52 +0000

I’m on the spectrum and so is my brother. The fact that the media is pinning this on autism just sickens me. I do believe there was some mental illness involved with Elliot Rodger but I don’t think it’s just autism. It’s pretty clear he refused treatment and was a psychopath. This is why people with autism are being treated with disdain. The media gives us aspies a bad rep and we have to pay for the sins of others. I can empathize with the fact that he couldn’t be very social because I often mope over the fact that I’m not a neurotypical. I can’t change who I am no matter how hard I try and I accept that. I hate that aspergers and autism are always the so-called “link” between murders like this.

By: Carolina

Carolina — Sat, 31 May 2014 00:56:32 +0000

http://m.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/05/the-isla-vista-shooter-suffered-from-pathological-narcissism-not-autism/371768/

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Fri, 30 May 2014 21:37:06 +0000

Thank you SO much for this article. As a woman on the spectrum who does everything she possibly can to be a morally upright person, I have been extremely distressed about Aspergers being associated with such a wretched person. I have yet to read his manifesto, but I did see that video of him saying vile things about men, women, pretty much all of humanity. I did NOT see a fellow Aspie; I saw a malignant narcissist. And come on – how could he have bern in therapy for fourteen years and not received an AS diagnosis? It just doesn’t add up.

I think he was just plain narcissistic. A spoiled brat who was amazed women didn’t see his unbelievable brilliance. Can’t say I’m sorry he’s gone.

Once again, thank you for backing up us Aspies.

By: david

david — Fri, 30 May 2014 18:10:36 +0000

It is possible that he had Asperger’s syndrome . He was clearly having severe mental health difficulties as well . These gradually built up to overwhelm him . The Police interviewed him and he was polite and they clearly didn’t understand him to have criminal intentions. All of these factored into him having an extreme ‘meltdown’ . We have heard of well trained soldiers who suffer stress and who have gone on similar rampages . It is sad that weapons were so easily available . It’s tragic that so many people have lost their lives and families devastated . No one seems to be sure if he was diagnosed or if he was helped with the diagnosis . He drove a car in my country we have to inform the DVLC if we are diagnosed because it can effect our ability to drive safely . Had he crashed into a row of pedestrians waiting at a bus stop it would have been different . His actions were premeditated but was that premeditation a pure fantasy from a fantasist who was over taken by an extreme reaction to his difficulties and disabilities . A troubled young man who was clearly not responsible for his actions nor should he be called evil. A lethal combination that the majority of people diagnosed with Asperger’s
Avoid because they are aware of their difficulties and don’t find them selves in his situation . While I have Asperger’s syndrome myself I cannot speak on the behalf of others who may disagree with my analysis . A unique tragedy that may have been avoided but wasn’t ! Tragic for all involved.

By: goldie

goldie — Fri, 30 May 2014 13:55:39 +0000

Yes, people should stop generalizing aspies since no two aspies are the same. I notice that many parents with children on the spectrum like to claim their children have asperger’s since it’s supposedly the best form of autism to have, with it being high functioning. However, this is a disadvantage to genuine aspies because the public will then tend to view aspies more negatively.