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

[Marina2]

We do have knowledge that Adam was withdrawn from school and home schooled. We do have knowledge that Adam had not spoken to either his father or brother in two years. We do have knowledge that Adam was withdrawn socially, had knowledge of and knew how to use his mother's arsenal of weapons, played violent video games and spent much time alone in the basement. We do know that his mother told a babysitter to never turn his back to Adam. We do know that his mother told friends that the situation was deteriorating.

You keep referring to hindsight but these are known facts. It isn't all that difficult to form an opinion based on what is known.

JMO

But none of these are predictors of mass murderers. It is hindsight if you believe that anyone should have known he would do something like he did given that criteria. If you used this to predict a mass murderer you would be wrong 99.99999 percent of the time. Mass murder in itself is very rare.

 

[Xavier]

Could you share the link to the Mayo clinic page saying it's a congenital birth defect? There appears to be a genetic component and prenatal risk factors that are associated but the usual term that gets used is a neurodevelopmental disorder which is not exactly synonymous with a congenital birth defect as some things that happen after the birth might possibly also play a role.

The term birth defect is more commonly reserved for those issues that are observable when the child is born. Asperger's syndrome is not.

Teratogens as a possible cause of Asperger Syndrome A few Autism/Aspergers Spectrum Disorder cases have been linked to exposure to teratogens (agents that cause birth defects) during the first eight weeks from conception[/B]. Although this does not exclude the possibility that Autism Spectrum Disorders can be initiated or affected later, it is strong evidence that it arises very early in development. Many environmental factors have been hypothesized to act after birth, but none has been confirmed by scientific investigation

Neuroanatomical studies and the associations with teratogens strongly suggest that the mechanism includes alteration of brain development soon after conception.[25] Abnormal migration of embryonic cells during fetal development may affect the final structure and connectivity of the brain, resulting in alterations in the neural circuits that control thought and behavior.[29] Several theories of mechanism are available; none are likely to be complete explanations.

 

[Marina2]

Also found this on the local TV website. What a nice way to remember.

ww.wtnh.com/dpp/news/fairfield_cty/petition-to-name-street-after-vicki-soto#.UN4awXeWTIU
Petition to name street after Vicki Soto

It's an honor to have them even think about it, to have our sister's name put on the street right in front of the high school she graduated from," said Jillian Soto.

The town's mayor says whether it's the street or something else, he is working with Vicki's family to make sure her memory is honored in her hometown.


"We've reached out to them and there are a number of ideas out there to remember Vicky Soto and we look forward to supporting them," said Stratford mayor John Harkins.

I think this is an excellent idea. At the same time, I feel the others were just as heroic as Vicki Soto was yet they aren't remembered quite as often as she is.

 

[Ricki]

I think this is an excellent idea. At the same time, I feel the others were just as heroic as Vicki Soto was yet they aren't remembered quite as often as she is.

Yes, you are correct and I am hoping that they will be remembered in some special way that honors their name and heroics.

 

[wfgodot]

Agreeing wholeheartedly that all the teachers ought to be honored as a group.

 

[Xavier]

No esteemed expert has said Adam had Asperger's.

JMO

You are correct Belle

 

[Donjeta]

Teratogens as a possible cause of Asperger Syndrome A few Autism/Aspergers Spectrum Disorder cases have been linked to exposure to teratogens (agents that cause birth defects) during the first eight weeks from conception[/B]. Although this does not exclude the possibility that Autism Spectrum Disorders can be initiated or affected later, it is strong evidence that it arises very early in development. Many environmental factors have been hypothesized to act after birth, but none has been confirmed by scientific investigation

Neuroanatomical studies and the associations with teratogens strongly suggest that the mechanism includes alteration of brain development soon after conception.[25] Abnormal migration of embryonic cells during fetal development may affect the final structure and connectivity of the brain, resulting in alterations in the neural circuits that control thought and behavior.[29] Several theories of mechanism are available; none are likely to be complete explanations.

Thanks, that's what I thought, they don't actually say that Asperger's syndrome is a congenital birth defect in as many words.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

I don't see how any of that proves that nothing was ever attempted to help him.

Exactly.

That's why I think all the posts blaming his mother (a victim) are unfair.

We don't know enough to place blame on that poor woman IMO.

JMO

 

[human]

People have said that AL was an adult and could buy the games he wanted. His mother could not stop him because he was an adult.

Since he was an adult, she could have asked for adult behavior and had him leave if he would not comply.

So many people do not ask their children to be adults and take responsibility for things.

If this approach would not work, then obviously other interventions should be tried.

I am sure you all have read Dear Abby with the issues of children never growing up

 

[Marina2]

People have said that AL was an adult and could buy the games he wanted. His mother could not stop him because he was an adult.

Since he was an adult, she could have asked for adult behavior and had him leave if he would not comply.

So many people do not ask their children to be adults and take responsibility for things.

If this approach would not work, then obviously other interventions should be tried.

I am sure you all have read Dear Abby with the issues of children never growing up

It's possible that she did ask him to be an adult and take responsibility for things. She may have given him some type of ultimatum. He certainly showed his anger towards her.

 

[4MYGUYS]

It's possible that she did ask him to be an adult and take responsibility for things. She may have given him some type of ultimatum. He certainly showed his anger towards her.

Legally by definition he was an adult. Developmentally not an adult.

 

[Marina2]

Legally by definition he was an adult. Developmentally not an adult.

He was a grown man, legally and developmentally.

 

[Gardenlady]

<modsnip>

I agree. I am about as crunchy-granola-hippy as they come, and I am not a fan of big pharma, and I am all for natural remedies and treatments as a first line in anything. Bt I will also say that an SSRI has saved my life, many times, over the years that I have had PTSD and depression.

All drugs have side effects. The key is to use what is needed when necessary, and be under observation of a doctor who is familiar with these drugs.

I will not listen to quacks who seem to say that all SSRIs are poison, and who paint all medication as harmful. We have a wonderful array of natural remedies in the world, yes (and I grow many of them!). But we also have brains for a reason, to discover new treatments and help folks who previously were unable to be helped. We shouldn't worship science and chemical treatments, no, but nor should we be afraid of them.

Just my :twocents:

 

[JBean]

Don't
Link
To
Blogs
For
Reference.
Don't know how else to say it.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

People have said that AL was an adult and could buy the games he wanted. His mother could not stop him because he was an adult.

Since he was an adult, she could have asked for adult behavior and had him leave if he would not comply.

So many people do not ask their children to be adults and take responsibility for things.

If this approach would not work, then obviously other interventions should be tried.

I am sure you all have read Dear Abby with the issues of children never growing up

At this point we don't know what she did or didn't do.

Unless I missed something. I admit I haven't read every post/article on this.

 

[HMSHood]

BBM

I'll respectively disagree. Where do you think the video game nerd stereotype came from?

Since you're still hooked on the 'violent' game angle, here's a tidbit. Japan has one of the lowest levels of violent crime in the world. They must not play video games (violent or otherwise) over there. :waitasec:

In Europe, like Germany, video games are more regulated, yet there have been school shootings in 2002 and 2009. Japan has a lower crime rate because they have a more homogenous population.

Fact and Details
http://factsanddetails.com/japan.php?itemid=816..

Many attribute Japan’s low crime rate to the homogenous population and group-centered society. Education Michiko Matsui told U.S. News and World Report, “The idea of collective responsibility is deeply rooted in Japan. Once a family member commits a violent crime, even his cousins can be subject to criticism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banned_video_games#Germany

 

[JBean]

Seems a lot of liberties are being taken in terms of what was or wasn't done as it relates to AL's care. reality is we have zero idea.

At this point in time,the parents are victims. We do not know what action they may have taken. We don't know if they took any action at all. We don't know.

If you have never endured the misfortune of having a child with a disorder,developmental disability, or mental illness- I can see why some might think that these things are correctly diagnosed with a single trip to the doctor a treatment plan put into place that works and all is well. You explain it to the school and they take care to make sure that the child gets what they need asap.,

Unfortunately it does not work like that. kids that are going to become killers are not immediately identified,locked up and treated. Doctors do not agree on treatment plans or diagnosis. Since some mental illness is intertwined with drug abuse in an attempt to self medicate, it can throw yet another layer of confusion on top of confusion. Then kids mature and the diagnosis evolves or changes to reveal what the problem really is- if it was misdiagnosed in the first place. The the behavior changes-meds change- some work some don't. Some cause adverse reactions and some have no affect at all. Some meds exacerbate an already difficult to control problem. It is a long exhausting road for many that is never really 100%.

The point is beating up these parents when we do not have the first clue as to what steps they did or didn't take is careless.

Please take care in your posting. If you aren't sure it happened or if there are no credible links for your conclusion please leave it off the board.

One person is currently responsible for this nightmare. If that changes- we will change too.

 

[HMSHood]

Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold went to high school. It didn't stop them from becoming murderers.

I have read that Eric Harris was destined to be evil and do much worse things. Dylan Klebold was depressed and influenced by Harris.

 

[HMSHood]

People have said that AL was an adult and could buy the games he wanted. His mother could not stop him because he was an adult.

Since he was an adult, she could have asked for adult behavior and had him leave if he would not comply.

So many people do not ask their children to be adults and take responsibility for things.

If this approach would not work, then obviously other interventions should be tried.

I am sure you all have read Dear Abby with the issues of children never growing up

I have seen many immature adults and some turn out deviant. Casey Anthony, Jerry Sandusky, Lori Drew, Betty Broderick, and Seung-Hui Cho come to mind. They were immature.

 

[sorrell skye]

I agree. I am about as crunchy-granola-hippy as they come, and I am not a fan of big pharma, and I am all for natural remedies and treatments as a first line in anything. Bt I will also say that an SSRI has saved my life, many times, over the years that I have had PTSD and depression.

All drugs have side effects. The key is to use what is needed when necessary, and be under observation of a doctor who is familiar with these drugs.

I will not listen to quacks who seem to say that all SSRIs are poison, and who paint all medication as harmful. We have a wonderful array of natural remedies in the world, yes (and I grow many of them!). But we also have brains for a reason, to discover new treatments and help folks who previously were unable to be helped. We shouldn't worship science and chemical treatments, no, but nor should we be afraid of them.

Just my :twocents:

Thank you for your wonderful response!

I'm not a fan of big pharma, either, especially when drugs are fast-tracked by the FDA without being thoroughly tested before they're made available to the public. I consider myself to be pretty conservative when it comes to medications. I think any extreme stance regarding medications (whether OTC or RX) is not a balanced approach. There are folks who engage in horribly unhealthy lifestyles, and then expect a pill to make them better. Conversely, there are others who shun medications to the point that they risk their lives & health. I've known people who self-medicate their depression with St. John's Wort (without any benefit) when they clearly need medical intervention.

I think SSRIs can be very beneficial when appropriately prescribed and monitored until the correct dosage can be determined. IMO, the key is finding the right medication/dosage and also the patient being med-compliant & communicative with the prescribing physician. SSRIs are not without side effects, and I think this can sometimes cause the patient to abruptly stop taking them, which can lead to discontinuation syndrome. Overall, though, I believe SSRIs have provided relief to millions of patients who would otherwise suffer debilitating depression and/or anxiety without them.