Connecticut school district on lockdown after shooting report at a Newtown elemen #9

[mck16]

I wouldn't consider that common. I mean, yes, there are people who live in basements as a way of being "independent" without having to pay rent. But, the situations I've heard like that usually happen because there is a full apartment in the basement (kitchen, bathroom, living space, ect.). I know a few people who had basement apartments in their family home for a few years following college.

What makes AL's situation so strange is he didn't seem to leave...ever. Most of those people go to work or school. They go out socially or otherwise engage with society. The basement is just their living space. From the sounds of this AL's life WAS the basement which is what makes it all very strange. People hadn't seen him in YEARS. The barber didn't see him for years. The mother went out, but the son was never seen. If he really did spend all of his time in the basement one has to wonder why, especially when you consider it was just AL and NL in that big house alone. There were plenty of bedrooms. Normally in this type of situation you would think he'd have a bedroom upstairs and a game room or media room in the basement, but by all accounts he stayed in the basement all. the. time.

certainly odd and I, personally, think there was something very, very strange going on in that home with that family. Things just don't add up right, to me.

I think unless there is an MSM report differently we are assuming he spent all his time in the basement because that is where he played his video games. So, I am wondering what the difference is if he spent all his time in an upstairs bedroom if he was still playing video games all the time. I think that is wherein the problem lies. That he was on the computer all the time playing violent games. jmo

I have also read that the basement area was RL's before he moved out for college. So, AL hasn't been down there for more than two years.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

I wouldn't consider that common. I mean, yes, there are people who live in basements as a way of being "independent" without having to pay rent. But, the situations I've heard like that usually happen because there is a full apartment in the basement (kitchen, bathroom, living space, ect.). I know a few people who had basement apartments in their family home for a few years following college.

What makes AL's situation so strange is he didn't seem to leave...ever. Most of those people go to work or school. They go out socially or otherwise engage with society. The basement is just their living space. From the sounds of this AL's life WAS the basement which is what makes it all very strange. People hadn't seen him in YEARS. The barber didn't see him for years. The mother went out, but the son was never seen. If he really did spend all of his time in the basement one has to wonder why, especially when you consider it was just AL and NL in that big house alone. There were plenty of bedrooms. Normally in this type of situation you would think he'd have a bedroom upstairs and a game room or media room in the basement, but by all accounts he stayed in the basement all. the. time.

certainly odd and I, personally, think there was something very, very strange going on in that home with that family. Things just don't add up right, to me.

And she's a victim.
So IMO until we hear that something very, very strange was going on in that home, she should be treated as such.

The whole tone of the thread seems to be almost blaming his mother for what happened.

IMO that is unfair.

JMO

 

[Abby Normal Again]

I agree.

I think folks with healthy boundaries don't go around telling everyone their problems - in fact, I believe it's the folks with unhealthy boundaries who blurt out everything to anyone who'll listen. Most people with healthy boundaries typically only confide in those who they're closest to & have come to trust.

I don't know where the idea has sprung up that NL only had "superficial" or "shallow" friendships. Just because we haven't heard from anyone except a few people she knew casually, is not evidence that she didn't have close friends. She may have had several close friends. If so, perhaps they're choosing to refrain from talking to the media. IMO, the important thing is if they're talking with investigators & giving them info that may help solve this puzzle of why AL did what he did.

Agreed, worth repeating.

I pretty much talk deeply to my husband and one girlfriend. To the extent appropriate, my kids as well. Aside from this tiny handful of people- most of my friendships would be what is being described as "shallow." Truth is, I just have my needs met through a wonderful life partner and wonder long time best friend.

I can promise neither of my confidants would run to the press. At all.

The science of us being social creatures does not mean we all have this huge collection of deeply close confidants. I'm introverted, but I'm social and outwardly expressive. I have no trust issues. I just don't need a huge network of confidants.

 

[JBean]

Am I the only one that knows people with developmentally disabled and/or mentally ill 18-25 yo's that still live at home?
Some are lost on the streets because they do not have strong familial support or they just shun their families. Some can live independently earlier and that is great. I think this mom did what she could and it obviously was not enough. But often this is not clear to family caretakers (or professionals)until something happens that make it clear. Unfortunately this 'something" was horrific.

IMO, I think the children represented everything he wasn't and often mass murderers like this take their 'revenge" by killing representatives of the group that wronged him. I think he took the one thing that perhaps made him feel powerful and used it on the easiest target possible- defenseless children because that may have been the only group of people over which he could possibly feel superior. As for mom- either there was something intensely personal going on between them that upset him or he perhaps did not want her to live with what he was going to do. Both possible to me.

JMHO of course.

 

[Hickory Born]

Am I the only one that knows people with developmentally disabled and/or mentally ill 18-25 yo's that still live at home?
Some are lost on the streets because they do not have strong familial support or they just shun their families. Some can live independently earlier and that is great. I think this mom did what she could and it obviously was not enough. But often this is not clear to family caretakers (or professionals)until something happens that make it clear. Unfortunately this 'something" was horrific.

IMO, I think the children represented everything he wasn't and often mass murderers like this take their 'revenge" by killing representatives of the group that wronged him. I think he took the one thing that perhaps made him feel powerful and used it on the easiest target possible- defenseless children because that may have been the only group of people over which he could possibly feel superior. As for mom- either there was something intensely personal going on between them that upset him or he perhaps did not want her to live with what he was going to do. Both possible to me.

JMHO of course.

Please allow me to add one more "perhaps." Perhaps he had his first psychotic episode.

I lived over 800 miles away from a relative when she had her first psychotic episode. I was the one who had to call her husband and tell him she was hallucinating. Her husband was with her on a daily basis and didn't realize it. I know that is difficult to comprehend, but it happened. Paranoid Schizophrenia was the diagnosis.

Also, wanted to add I know of a 35 yrs old who is severely autistic who lives at home with her parents.

 

[Jamie737]

If you read the interview with Kip Kinkel it was pretty clear that at least part of his motivation to kill his parents was because he couldn't deal with their disappointment in him.

I wonder if its not the same situation here. Shooting his mom in her sleep may have felt "merciful" to the shooter's deranged mind.

But I agree, killing defenceless kids is personal, reflects hate of that which he was not and sadly is also probably related to the depersonalisation from extreme violence video games.

I think his Mom was doing her best to cope with an impossible situation and providing what safety net she could for someone with, probably, a lot of paranoid fears.

 

[Jilllian]

I agree....I still don't understand why she never invited anyone into her home AL living in basement just sounds the Phantom of the Opera or something...and I'm sure you are right .....there was something very dark/strange going on in that home.....

I've been following this story, and am very interested in Adam's life.

I don't believe ANY Asperger's-violence connection, but oftentimes, there is mental illness accompanied with diagnoses on the Autism spectrum that could account for this. Schizophrenia oftentimes emerges at the age Adam was.

My son is much like Adam was reported to be. Quiet, shy, autistic, geeky/nerdy, camera shy, etc. I have very few pictures of him as he refuses to allow his photo to be taken. He doesn't talk unless someone asks him to. I too, do all the talking for hair appointments, and other things like that.

I don't invite people into my home because it creates an awkward environment. People think my son is "weird" because they don't understand him. Only I do. He never leaves his room, except to go to school, the kitchen, or the bathroom. He will leave only if he has to.

Nancy could have provided SO much insight, I bet.

Killer or not, someone in his family should claim this boy's body.

 

[Hopeful One]

Okay so I admit I haven't been following this thread much because RL calls. But...

I just saw a commercial on TV about honoring the victims by committing 26 random acts of kindness. I hear 26 a lot in regards to victims in this case. There were 28 total people dead when it was all over, one being the gunman. Obviously we wouldn't honor him.

So why only 26? Is NL being excluded? And if so, why? Is she not a victim? Have I missed something?

Again, I haven't been following along here so maybe this has been discussed and I'm just behind the times, but this has been bugging me, so I figured this would be the best plce to ask.

 

[jjenny]

Please allow me to add one more "perhaps." Perhaps he had his first psychotic episode.

I lived over 800 miles away from a relative when she had her first psychotic episode. I was the one who had to call her husband and tell him she was hallucinating. Her husband was with her on a daily basis and didn't realize it. I know that is difficult to comprehend, but it happened. Paranoid Schizophrenia was the diagnosis.

Also, wanted to add I know of a 35 yrs old who is severely autistic who lives at home with her parents.

He reportedly smashed up his hard drive, put on a tactical jacket, took guns with him, went to school, killed 26 people. Then as police showed up, he killed himself. Nothing of this indicates a psychotic episode to me. All of this appears to be methodical and planned.

 

[JBean]

Please allow me to add one more "perhaps." Perhaps he had his first psychotic episode.

I lived over 800 miles away from a relative when she had her first psychotic episode. I was the one who had to call her husband and tell him she was hallucinating. Her husband was with her on a daily basis and didn't realize it. I know that is difficult to comprehend, but it happened. Paranoid Schizophrenia was the diagnosis.

Also, wanted to add I know of a 35 yrs old who is severely autistic who lives at home with her parents.

I concur.

That is exactly what I mean when I say it is not clear until something serious happens that makes it clear. With a psychotic episode the first one can be the True eye opener and first true indicator that there is more going on. But since we don't have thought police sometimes there is nothing to be done until something gives in a major way.
Like you, I have also seen this happen and it was a shock to all. I think some assume this is like snapping. But I have seen a slow crescendo build until all hell breaks loose.

 

[michmi]

In the light of AL being so thin, it's interesting they say that ASD is overrepresented in anorexia sufferers.

I think the cause of that is not really anorexia in the usual sense, though--people on the autism spectrum often have very narrow preferences as far as types of food and especially the texture of foods.

 

[michmi]

So why only 26? Is NL being excluded? And if so, why? Is she not a victim? Have I missed something?

I believe 26 refers to the people at the school not including the shooter, and it's also kind of a convenient way to not include mom in the number of dead.

 

[jjenny]

I've been following this story, and am very interested in Adam's life.

I don't believe ANY Asperger's-violence connection, but oftentimes, there is mental illness accompanied with diagnoses on the Autism spectrum that could account for this. Schizophrenia oftentimes emerges at the age Adam was.

My son is much like Adam was reported to be. Quiet, shy, autistic, geeky/nerdy, camera shy, etc. I have very few pictures of him as he refuses to allow his photo to be taken. He doesn't talk unless someone asks him to. I too, do all the talking for hair appointments, and other things like that.

I don't invite people into my home because it creates an awkward environment. People think my son is "weird" because they don't understand him. Only I do. He never leaves his room, except to go to school, the kitchen, or the bathroom. He will leave only if he has to.

Nancy could have provided SO much insight, I bet.

Killer or not, someone in his family should claim this boy's body.

I think that is the reason Nancy didn't like inviting people into her house. Not because she herself was not social, but because she had her special needs son living there. I bet he didn't like having people around.

 

[jjenny]

I think the cause of that is not really anorexia in the usual sense, though--people on the autism spectrum often have very narrow preferences as far as types of food and especially the texture of foods.

Or he was concerned about food contamination because of OCD. Then he will only eat certain limited foods he for whatever reason thinks are not contaminated.

 

[manzana]

With no windows that would provide natural light, AL probably had a very very messed up circadian rhythm. I bet if he slept 4 hours a week that would be plenty. I would guarantee he didn't have the run of the house and could come and go as he pleased when NL wasn't there. Maybe he wouldn't leave the basement unless she forced him to. This is gonna be very bizarre when it opens up.

What are we relying on that he spent time in the basement? The National Enquirer, other media, did anyone actually see the basement? How does anyone know it was 90% in and 10 percent out or visa-versa, maybe next week someone will say he had a fear of basements and never went in theirs.

 

[JBean]

He reportedly smashed up his hard drive, put on a tactical jacket, took guns with him, went to school, killed 26 people. Then as police showed up, he killed himself. Nothing of this indicates a psychotic episode to me. All of this appears to be methodical and planned.

these things are not mutually exclusive. Remenber, Psychosis is just a symptom of some underlying cause that can take different forms.

 

[Xavier]

Chances of someone with Asperger's developing schizophrenia are only marginally higher than that of general population.
And so far, we haven't heard anyone claiming Adam Lanza heard voices or experienced hallucinations.

Since I know a little bit about schizophrenia than autism or Aspergers, I thought this would help explain the differences:

Schizophrenia is a mental illness (a chemical imbalance in the brain - in other words a disease) and as such will respond to medication, with the symptoms lessening or vanishing all together while the person takes their medication. As with all other mental illnesses schizophrenia is a disease that you can get, but you are never born with it. .

Asperger's/Autism is NOT a disease. It is a birth defect (a brain that did not develop properly before birth) - it is not a disease - you can not contract it later on in life - you are born with it[/B]. The symptoms will not lessen or go away with medication, because there is no disease there to medicate.

The difference between Autism and Asperger's is that Autism shows symptoms with in the first 2 - 3 years of life, while Asperger's does not usually start showing symptoms until the pre-teen, teen or young adult years.

Autism is rarely mistaken for schizophrenia. Asperger's is nearly always first diagnosed as "childhood schizophrenia" (by doctors who have not kept up to date and are still unaware of the fact that this disease is nothing more than an urban myth and slang name for Asperger's).

Information attributed to :
http://voices.yahoo.com/living-autism-autism-aspergers-vs-schizophrenia-5774426.html

 

[wfgodot]

What are we relying on that he spent time in the basement? The National Enquirer, other media, did anyone actually see the basement? How does anyone know it was 90% in and 10 percent out or visa-versa, maybe next week someone will say he had a fear of basements and never went in theirs.

Washington Post article:

Investigators have learned through interviews with his mother's friends that Lanza spent his days in the windowless basement of the family's $600,000, 3,100-square-foot house, sitting in front of a screen, anonymously playing violent video games with people he did not know.

 

[Darkman00]

All i know is ... that people with such disabilities as Autism, Aspergers etc .. should NOT be introduced to such things as guns, weapons etc, should NOT be taken to shooting ranges, to feel comfortable around weapons etc .. and, possibly, should NOT keep guns, weapons, etc at home .. be those locked or not!

 

[mck16]

I think the cause of that is not really anorexia in the usual sense, though--people on the autism spectrum often have very narrow preferences as far as types of food and especially the texture of foods.

Wasn't it reported that he was a vegan? ty