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https://twitter.com/AAdelsonABC36The man who shot and killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT reportedly had Asperger's.
An expert says Asperger's is Autism Spectrum Disorder. UK Professor Dr. Jonathan Campbell says the main symptom is trouble communicating and socializing.
Campbell says people should not link Asperger's with violence.
"There's no inherent risk for an individual that has that diagnosis to become violent, and that individuals who have Autism Spectrum Disorders should included in activities," said Dr. Campbell.
He says people with Asperger's are often victims of bullying, and not the bully. So, he worries if people associate Asperger's with violence, then kids with the disorder will become more excluded and more isolated. He says this is an opportunity to raise awareness about Asperger's.
"At present I would characterize the resources to serve kids who have Autism at both ends of their life span, if you will the different points of their life, as pretty limited. We need to be able to develop a greater commitment and capacity to serve them," said Dr. Campbell.
Campbell recommends checking out these links for more information:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/http://www.researchautism.org/http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html
