CBS Radio Covers Newtown Shooter: Kim Stagliano Questions Autism Diagnosis
Kim Stagliano is the managing editor of Age Of Autism, a daily newsletter about autism spectrum disorders.
“I think until we see proof that he was formally diagnosed by a professional with Asperger’s, the conversation can really only be harmful to families who have children and adults who are anywhere on the spectrum right now,” Stagliano told WCBS 880 on Monday.
Stagliano wrote on her website Monday, reacting to a person described as a family friend of the Lanzas telling CBS News’ “60 Minutes” that Nancy Lanza said her son had Asperger’s.
“It may have been a way for a mother to explain something that’s very difficult to explain and she didn’t realize she would end up in this position where we would be having a conversation about his formal diagnosis. Diagnoses of any condition are personal and private and here we are talking about it,” Stagliano told WCBS 880.
OK at the risk of being totally jumped on I am going to give my take. I can't stand to watch the coverage of this - all of the news media crawling over one another to find a new tidbit. First let's say he was diagnosed by a "professional" as Asperger's -- which really won't even exist after DSM-5 comes along. So what. If he is Polish does that mean people of that nationality have to be ashamed? Frankly, I think if he has been brain damaged with mercury poisoned vaccines might that not have caused severe social problems, might he not have been treated with multiple drugs as a child without (IMO) proper testing and controls, and might that not have contributed to his mentally deranged actions. This is in no way meant to say that children and adults "on the spectrum" or as I like to say mercury poisoned are dangerous. They are people and we are all different. I think it may be possible that a small subset of these very brain damaged individuals could act out in very scary ways. I have no evidence one way or the other in this case, but if it proves to be then there is a lot of guilt to go around.
Posted by: Maureen | December 18, 2012 at 07:28 PM
Thank you!
Posted by: Bensmyson | December 18, 2012 at 04:10 PM
Outstanding Kim. Thanks and I am so glad to made the point about medications.
Posted by: Sarah | December 18, 2012 at 10:00 AM