by Derek Whitney
Asperger syndrome, coined in 1944 and recognized by the DSM-IV in 1994, is a type of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) is similar to autism; however individuals with Asperger disorder typically have a higher level of functioning than those with autism. Asperger’s is typically diagnosed in young children and the disorder will carry on throughout an individual’s life, as there is no definitive cure or medication therapy to treat the disorder. Due to recent media coverage about the Sandy Hook shooting’s gunman allegedly suffering from Asperger syndrome, increasing concern has arisen from society about the link between the disorder and violence.
It is important to note that, as with any neurodevelopmental disorders, not all individuals with Asperger’s experience the disorder the same way and some function better than others. The common traits for people with Asperger syndrome are poor social skills and a limited range of interests. This, in turn, leads to these individuals feeling isolated and having higher likelihood of developing anxiety and depressive disorders. While many people respond to depression with feelings of sadness or emptiness, increasing irritability can take the place of these feelings, particularly in younger patients such as Adam Lanza, the Sandy Hook shooter. Combined with an inability to concentrate and suicidal ideation, in addition to feelings of withdrawal from the world, Asperger’s sufferers can become likely candidates for violence, both as victims and perpetrators. Those with co-occurring bipolar disorder can be especially concerning because of the high energy and impulsive behavior associated with bipolar mania and mixed states. However, patients with bipolar disorder can be violent regardless of whether they have Asperger’s or not.
Another feature that correlates with violence is a deficit in, or complete lack of, empathy in individuals with Asperger’s. A 1985 study by Mawson et. al found that a man with Asperger syndrome repeatedly engaged in violent acts throughout his life knowing they were wrong, but without feeling any remorse. However, this trait is not exclusive to Asperger’s; individuals with antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders also share a lack of empathy.
The key feature of interest in shootings like Sandy Hook is that individuals with Asperger’s tend to obsess over singular interests and have very well-defined talents. In the case of Adam Lanza, who allegedly had Asperger’s, investigations after the shooting found a large collection of weaponry inside his home and reported that his mother had taught him target shooting. To the public, the media portrayed that Lanza was a gun enthusiast and that firearms were his singular obsessive interest. An obsession with firearms combined with lack of empathy or the bullying associated with Asperger’s sufferers and their lack of social connection, which Lanza reportedly experienced, make violence probable. Adam Lanza, like many other children with Asperger’s, was a victim of bullying. In other major shootings such as Columbine and Virginia Tech, the shooters were also victims of bullying. However, bullying is what links these shootings together and not Asperger syndrome.
Traits commonly shared by individuals with Asperger’s have a correlation with committing acts of violence, but not every child with the condition is violent. Being victims of bullying, having a lack of empathy, co-occurring disorders such as depression and an obsession with violence, crime or weaponry can all correlate with an increased risk for the individual with Asperger’s to engage in violent behaviors.
Image Credit: Courtney Lynch
Editor’s Commentary
Correlation between Asperger’s syndrome and violence has become a hot topic after the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy. We asked an expert on Asperger’s syndrome to comment on this article.
Editor’s Interview with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Tali Shenfield, PhD, CPsych
Q: Dr. Shenfield, I understand that you have extensive experience treating patients with Asperger’s syndrome (AS). Do you feel that this group is particularly prone to violence?
This topic is highly controversial and there is no consensus even among clinical psychologists working with Asperger’s syndrome patients. While there is extensive clinical research (see references section below) showing that people with Asperger’s syndrome are more likely to commit violent acts, there is little psychological research linking Asperger’s to planned acts of committed violence. It is important to keep in mind that:
1. Most people with Asperger’s are not violent.
2. Stigmatizing people with Asperger’s as potential criminals could cause further alienation and trigger violent behavior.
3. People with Asperger’s are more likely to be the victims rather than the perpetrators of violence.
4. A small subset of people with Asperger’s are violent, which can lead to criminal behavior, including murder.
5. Most patients with Asperger’s who commit violent acts have a co-morbid mental health disorder.
6. The chances of violent behavior can be greatly reduced if Asperger’s patients receive psychological help during their childhood and beyond.
Q: Do you think that generalizing from individual cases to the group as a whole can create unwarranted prejudice and fear in the public?
Like with all mental health disorders, there are many misperceptions about Asperger’s syndrome. It is important to understand that all individuals diagnosed with this syndrome are different. There are many who do experience feelings of empathy and compassion, but might have a different way of expressing these feelings. Most commonly, Asperger’s patients are quiet, soft-spoken and peaceful people. They like to follow rules and established patterns of behavior. It is concerning to me that individual cases of violence by persons allegedly suffering from Asperger’s can paint the whole group as violent and dangerous.
Q: Perhaps it would be helpful to understand what factors can lead to aggressive behavior in persons with AS?
I believe that the main contributing factor is difficulty in interpreting other people’s emotions and intentions. They might perceive a harmless joke as a threat and react irrationally. They may also be prone to outbursts of pent-up frustration. They have a hard time expressing and understanding their own feelings, and they sometimes allow them to accumulate to the point of uncontrollable explosion.
The best prevention is to teach AS children from early on about their own and other people’s emotions and facilitate processing and expression of their feelings. This usually leads to better social skills and reduces their frustration.
Q: What are some other less known facts about people with AS?
It is important to acknowledge the role of individuals with AS in the history of humankind. Remember that many famous scientists, writers, artists and innovators we admire today (such as Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Alfred Hitchcock, Bobby Fischer and others) had traits of Asperger’s. The world would not be the same without them. I think we should focus on understanding and supporting these people rather than ostracizing and fearing them.
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