Most of the content of this blog is informative (hopefully) and I attempt to keep things upbeat. That, however, has to alter a bit in lieu of the recent tragedy in Connecticut.
A horrible man did a horrible dead and this post isn't about gun control, politics, or anything like that. This post is too address the disappointing rumor started by the media that the murderer did this unthinkable act because he was Autistic.
Some know and some may not, but Autism isn't a disease or disorder. It's how someone's brain works. Not wrong, just different. It is who a person is. It cannot make someone violent anymore than having blue eyes can. It's not a mental illness, does not influence violent behavior, or make a person less sensitive to feelings.
Honestly, most people on the Autism spectrum are the most loving and FEELING people you will ever meet. A person on the Autism Spectrum is sadly far more likely to be a VICTIM of a crime or bullying because they are different.
What concerns me the most is that this ignorant stereotype may make life much more difficult for some wonderful people who already have to deal with so much.
I ask that you please be informed yourself, and if you hear anyone talking about this ignorance, please give them the tools to inform themselves. Let's not turn this into an argument. As a mother of a kind and gentle boy with ASD and sensory issues, I can tell you there's not much that upsets Boog more than a raised voice :)
Like I said, they feel.
