Carson Center CEO Susan West
WESTFIELD – Part of the week-long national conversation about the tragedy at Sandy Hook touched on Adam Lanza’s diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome as a factor leading him to massacre 27 people in Newtown, Conn. last Friday.
Lanza, 20, was reported to suffer from mental illness, which is a separate issue from Asperger’s, part of the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Carson Center Chief Executive Officer Susan West said that ASD, which ranges from severely affected individuals to high-functioning individuals, such as those with Asperger’s, is a developmental disability, not a mental illness. And, she said, those diagnosed with it are not associated with violence.
“People with disabilities are more often the victim of violence than the perpetrator,” said West, adding that there is no research that finds a correlation between ASD and violence.
Instead of trying to put a name to why Lanza killed those innocent children, West said people should be talking about how to prevent future tragedies.
Autism experts have been fielding numerous questions and trying to dispel the misconceived belief that Asperger’s is to blame for Lanza’s actions.
“People who live with autism spectrum disorders are among the most vulnerable in our society,” said Autism Speaks President Liz Field. “And the people who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of those with special needs hold a special place for us. It is the responsibility of our elected leaders to honor these victims’ memories and their legacies by ensuring that we never see another day like we did last week.”
Autism Speaks senior executives have given interviews to the media to address misconceptions about a linkage between autism spectrum disorders and planned violence in the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, Conn.
West said people with mental illness do need help and it’s time there was more of it and better access to it.
“There are simply not enough services,” said West. “That is the call to action, as I see it.”
Citizens around the country are trying to find ways to support the families of Newtown, including here in Westfield.
The City of Westfield, collaborating with volunteers employed by Anytime Fitness of Westfield, will be sponsoring a candlelight vigil to remember those who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School last week. The vigil will be held tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the new Park Square Green.
Supporters are encouraged to bring a candle or a Teddy Bear in exchange for a candle. Pilgrim Candle of Westfield has donated 1,000 candles for anyone who donates a new/unused Teddy Bear. The bears, along with white carnations donated by Country Flowers and Durocher’s, will be transported by volunteer police officers to the Newtown community.
John and Jessica Velez from Anytime Fitness have collaborated with Staples of Westfield to also donate school supplies. The needed supplies will go to those children who have been relocated to other area schools in Newton, while the Sandy Hook school remains a crime scene.
