Respectfully-I agree with everything stated above except the very very last sentence.
I believe everything points to his cognitive and behavioral handicaps. n JMO-we will definitely find out that he had "mental even physiological handicaps" I think " Asbergers Syndrome ( or what ever they said) was a handy catch all - euphemism. Even if they were able to appear to mediate his activities in some ways. He may have been improving. Is this relative? Don't suicides often appear to improve when they have decided and making a " plan" ?I think the files will show that he had big-time issues. Obviously, Anyone who looks into their mother's face and shoots her head off -must be mentally handicapped. No?[/QUOTE]
BBM
Sadly, no, I do not believe that everyone that murders a loved one is mentally handicapped. In fact less that 2% of the murderers who commit crimes like this are truly mentally ill.
I think he used his Aspergers and intelligence as a tool to control his mother. He pulled the silent treatment when it behooved him to do so to get his way and to try and control his mom and make her worry. imo. I dont think this was done because of mental illness. This to me is going to be another case of a person being in a rage and revengeful about something they didnt like.
There seemed to be nothing wrong with his cognitive thinking. He was able to be self sufficient.......dancing in front of others.....going to the store...driving a car.... ace-ing college courses at 16...working on other people's computers for pay. Now of course he had quirks...like not liking someone to touch him. I have read on here that other posters are also like that....not me though......I am a very touchy feely person. lol
IMO
This really raises interesting issues as they pertain to my job Re: cognitive dysfunctions v. Mental Illness.
IMHO they aren't necessarily subsets nor are they exclusive.
All people with cognitive disconnects are not mentally ill, and mentally ill people do not all have cognitive disabilities. Nor are all criminals mentally ill, or cognitively disabled. I could probably argue that they all do but..)The fact that he could focus on one or more areas ( like computers- Guns) is not evidence that he was or was not able. If- He did not learn how to drive until recently and he was not supposed to use the stove. - at 20! ? You would think- that one would deduce that if someone shouldn't use a stove - they shouldn't have access to weapons. Maybe she had cognitive disabilities.
Always, all , and and never are really dangerous when teaching and assessing students. I have taught hundreds of students. ( I have been threatened by students and parents personally) I have heard and read a few reports about AL and from what I can infer is that he did have learning, processing issues that were observed and shared and documented.
We are quick to run to the MD to cure a rash, or get an antibiotic for pneumonia- yet we are in the dark ages as far as our ability to be honest and treat and admit all of our psychological and learning differences.
Cognitive psychology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cognitive psychology is a subdiscipline of psychology exploring internal mental processes. It is the study of how people perceive, remember, think, speak, and solve problems.[1]
Ironically one of the most famous ( and some say haunted) institutions in CT was located in the very same town. ( you can search fairfield hills in Botsford, Newtown CT) ( something else for fellow WS ers)
Praying for the babies and teachers in SandyHook
Please join me in prayers for the families, and the first responders, who have been so dearly touched by this tragedy.