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The Asperger’s Association of New England (AANE) has issued a statement: AANE Statement on the tragedy in Newtown, CT. The statement begins:

December 16, 2012 — At the Asperger’s Association of New England, we share the horror and sadness of people across the world. The shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, were a terrible and incomprehensible act of violence. We convey our deepest sympathy to the victims, their families and friends, and their community.

The AANE acknowledges the media speculation that the shooter had Asperger syndrome, including this statement:

Our overwhelming concern is for the families of the victims through their deep, enduring grief and devastation. We hope too that the conversation around Adam Lanza will be thoughtful and considerate of people who have Asperger syndrome or other forms of autism and their families

AANE is offering services of their staff:

Discussing this tragedy is challenging for families and very upsetting for children who have Asperger syndrome. Our staff is available to give advice or support relating to this issue during normal business hours: (617) 393-3824

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The full statement can be found at: AANE Statement on the tragedy in Newtown, CT

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By Matt Carey

When I heard news of the murders in Newtown Connecticut I, like everyone, was shocked and saddened. Those are very weak words for the emotions I felt. I can offer sympathy, condolences and some understanding of what the good people of Newtown feel, but I can only imagine their grief at this time.

The autism communities rarely speak with one voice but this time there has been a unity of support and sympathy from all corners.

There has been a second message as well.  Not for the people of Newtown, but for the press reporting on this story. A message to treat autistics with fairness and accuracy. That whether the shooter was autistic or not, to keep in mind that autism is not the same as violent. That this young man in no way represents autism any more than he represents your community.

For intruding on your grief to interject that message, I apologize. I believe the individuals and groups who have stepped forward with these messages have done so with respect and only done so this early because of the need to head off a damaging theme we have seen emerge in the past from other shootings.

I have tried to highlight those messages here on this site. I have strived to do so with as much respect as I possible.

I wish you well in the time ahead and hope our support outweighs our intrusion.

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By Matt Carey

Michael John Carley of GRASP, the Global Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership, has issued a statement on the Newtown Connecticut shootings: Statement from Michael John Carley on the Newtown, CT Shootings. He begins:

We here at GRASP (and I as the father of two school-age boys), cannot be more saddened and devastated by the news of the shootings in Newtown, CT. Our thoughts, wishes, prayers, and heaviest hearts go out to the victims and their families

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And urges all to “…please steer away from getting too caught up in the spectrum angle. Let us focus instead on mourning; lamenting through grief that such a terrible and tragic event befell us all on this awful, awful day.”

The full statement is at Statement from Michael John Carley on the Newtown, CT Shootings.

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By Matt Carey

Autism Rights Watch has offered a statement of support for the families and communities of Newtown Connecticut:

Autism Rights Watch Grieves for the Families after Newtown, CT Shootings

ARW starts with:

Autism Rights Watch grieves for the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School and the community of Newtown, CT. We are devastated. Our wishes and condolences go to the many families affected. Our thoughts also go to the first responders who faced this horrific scene.

The full statement can be found at the link above, but let me pull one more paragraph. It is very difficult to address a side issue to such a horrific event, but AWR, like other autism orgs who have offered similar messages, does so with respect, informing the media of the need to include autism accurately:

The search for answers should not be a search for a scapegoat. Autism is no excuse or explanation to evil. Being “autistic”, “odd”, “awkward”, “camera shy”, a “nerd” and “uncomfortable with others” does not cause a person to become a mass murderer. Autistic persons are more likely to be victims, rather than perpetrators of violence. Autism Rights Watch urges the public and the media outlets not to stigmatize the autistic persons and their families. They already are facing segregation and prejudices on a daily basis.

Autism Rights Watch bills itself thus:

Note: Autism Rights Watch is an independent non-partisan, non-sectarian international non-profit organization dedicated to the rights and the inclusion of the persons on the autism spectrum and with other special needs. Our 501c3 status is pending. ARW is an American based NGO with significant activities in France and in Florida. It participates as an NGO to the informal network against school segregation at the Council of Europe.

Media inquiries shall be directed to contact@autismrightswatch.org

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By Matt Carey
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By Matt Carey

The Autism Women’s Network (AWN) ha issued an appeal to media sources covering the Newtown shooting story.

AWN’s Appeal to Media Sources Covering Newtown, CT
There is no evidence linking planned criminal violence to autism.
With the tragic events unfolding regarding the recent school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, we here at Autism Women’s Network send our heartfelt condolences to all the families. It is unimaginable what they are going through at this time. The loss of so many innocent lives is unspeakable and heartbreaking.

With a few media sources reporting that the shooter is on the autism spectrum, we want to make an appeal that reporters and news outlets tread carefully in this regard. First, nothing has been confirmed about any possible diagnosis the shooter may have had.

Secondly, there is zero evidence linking planned crimes to autism. It cannot be stressed enough that autistic people, as well as all people with disabilities, are more likely to become victims of violence and crime rather than the perpetrators of such: Crime Victims with Developmental Disabilities.

Please remember that attempts to link a population of people to a particular crime is stigmatizing and damaging. The lasting affects cause incomparable harm and hurts autistic people. We appeal to all media and news agencies to use great care in reporting the facts as well as how the facts are framed. We ask that you practice responsibility in your media coverage. Any insinuation that autism is the cause of planned criminal violence is wholly inaccurate, as there is no evidence to support this assumption.

At this time, our attention is focused on those who lost their lives and their families. We extend our deepest sympathies and continued thoughts of comfort.

Respectfully,

AWN Board of Directors: Sharon daVanport, President — Corina Becker, Vice President — Mara Fritts, Secretary & Treasurer — Lori Berkowitz, Director of Web Development

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By Matt Carey