Published on 12, July, 2020
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
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
lets be clear being autistic doesn't make you a good person. It doesn't make you a bad person. Arguably it can make you less suseptable to social presure. But of course that works both ways because there is social presure to do the right thing and social pressure to do the wrong thing too. Autistic people tend to gravitate to extreems. It's not so suprising that sometimes this can also be extreems of good and evil.
Indeed, I just read the news article below about one of the kids who hacked GTA6 and is autistic.
If you read the article he has indeed committed crimes but I cannot believe they’ve sentenced an 18 year old (who is clearly incredibly gifted) to an indefinite hospital order.
It’s outrageously over the top and a waste of talent
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67663128
Yes - glad you raised this and put it here Amerantin. This "dude" is a serious "next level" genius....who has merely (arguably) channelled his genius into less than helpful activity........thus far !!!
I sincerely doubt that this "indefinite hospital order" is much other than the-forces-that-be endlessly trying to turn him to use his genius for (arguably) "good" purposes.
I'm sure Mi5 will be "all over" this soul for the rest of his life - and/or vice verser !
Society does not nurture intelligence, and talent, alas.