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TW: Autistic teenagers found guilty of heinous crime

Autonomistic
9 months ago

Trigger warning: knife crime and murder

I had not been following too closely the news reports about the tragic murder of Brianna Ghey. However on the news last night it stated that both of the accused are autistic and that has shocked me. This online news report states the the boy "has been diagnosed with selective mutism and autism spectrum disorder" and the girl "has traits of autism and adhd". They were described as 'high functioning' in court Slight frown

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-67727331

I find it impossible to comprehend how any autistic person could be capable of such a premeditated heinous crime and then to lie about it afterwards. 

The stigma against autistic people persists and news reports like this are not going to help with the negative perceptions some people continue to have. Sadly there are some people who believe that autistic people are in some way dangerous and should be locked away in institutions. Cases like this might damage public support for the NAS campaigns to release autistic people who are wrongly detained Pensive

Parents
  • 9 months ago
    Autonomistic said:
    Cases like this might damage public support for the NAS campaigns to release autistic people who are wrongly detained 

    I completely understand what you mean.

    I don’t think it’s helpful and I think it’s damaging that huge news outlets such as the BBC are allowed to identify criminals as autistic and this could lead to even more stigma surrounding our community.

  • 9 months ago in reply to Ausomely Autistic

    Around the time I was first diagnosed (in 2000) Barry Bulsara was in the news for stalking Jill Dando.  I think most people would agree Autistic Awareness  has come a long way in the last 23 years.  This will be out of the news in a few weeks. And the world moves on.

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  • 9 months ago in reply to Ausomely Autistic

    Around the time I was first diagnosed (in 2000) Barry Bulsara was in the news for stalking Jill Dando.  I think most people would agree Autistic Awareness  has come a long way in the last 23 years.  This will be out of the news in a few weeks. And the world moves on.

Children