Autism father kills himself and his son
July 15, 2006 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
The bodies of William Lash III, a law professor at George Mason University and a former assistant secretary of commerce, and his 12-year-old autistic son, William IV, were found inside their Fairfax County, Virginia, home on Friday morning after a barricade lasting more than six hours. Both father and son had been shot in the upper body with a shotgun found beside them, according to today’s 13WVEC.com. George Mason University colleagues and neighbors “told The Washington Post that Lash was devoted to his son and often took him to Nationals games.”
I am thinking about Katherine McCarron—–about Lauren Thierry saying that autism mother Alison Tepper Singer was “gutsy and courageous” to talk about having once thought of driving herself and her autistic daughter off the George Washington Bridge in the Autism Every Day video—-I am thinking, not again.
What an awful tragegy. Autism Speaks and Company must be stopped. I am at a loss for words about all of this right now.
What an awful tragedy. Autism Speaks and Company must be stopped. I am at a loss of words about all of this right now.
Not to judge, but to notice. Once again, the piece is all about the murderer(alleged).
Also, “He did everything _for_ him.”
When I was a curebie, I used to do everything for Ben, too, except accept him as he was.
.
Shouldn’t we consider whether we’re jumping the gun here a little bit? None of the cited news sources say anything that directly indicates that the son’s autism had anything to do with the killing (whereas the coverage of McCarron, DeGroot, and Fuller does point to disability as a factor). Parents have been known to kill NT kids in circumstances resembling the Lash case. It’s certainly a tragedy, but I’m not convinced at this point that it’s one that could have been prevented by better acceptance of autistics.
Point taken and much appreciated.
Mom-NOS has some more commentary on Autism Every Day at An alternate view of Autism Every Day.
That article in “Mon-NOS” was wonderful. Anyone assulted by Autism Speaks needs to read that article just to help them get their feet back on the ground again.
My gut is leaning me toward your view, ebohlman.
The brief account of domestic problems followed by the murder/suicide immediately brought to mind another recent case – one not involving kids with disabilities.
Back in May, Edward Van Dyk, a doctor going through a messy divorce, threw his two young sons off a hotel balcony and then killed himself the same way.
There’s an article on it still available at this URL:
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14686235.htm
After almost ten years of following news stories on murders and suicides, the ones involving kids still turn my stomach – whether they have a disability or not. (and yes, I know the sentiment is shared by everyone I know who has written here and elsewhere on these issues)
I remember that story about Edmund van Dyk—–and how horrified I felt.
And have been feeling about what happened last Friday morning.
Point taken in re: ebohlman’s and Steven’s comments. However, van Dyk did not get a “pass” for the murders like I am seeing on message boards and yahoogroups/lists in the case of Lash. I have seen far too many comments essentially excusing Lash due to his son’s autism. For some it does not matter what the facts of the case may be, they will look for a ‘reason’ to make sense of it and to separate themselves from it … and the blame gets placed on the autistic child.
Examples from the WP board:
“[...]did anyone wonder what it was like for this man with such great accomplishments to have an Austic (sic) son..” posted by Mina Schoenheit, MA.
“[...] Clearly, he was ashamed of having a autistic son, while he himself was a brillant man.” posted by p.markham
“[Autism] is something that can push the most skilled and patient parent to the brink.” posted by posted by liebe_007
weary-word: Do these commenters provide any other identification of who they are—–are they autism parents? I can’t believe the first comment.
As the mother of twin 4 year old Autistic sons, I can tell you first hand that yes living with Autism is stressful for a parent. Can any of you imagine how it feels for a 4 year old to still be in diapers, and not be able to communicate your needs? To any moron out there who would evn for 1 second try to condone what that father did, that is heinus, and inexcuseable. I live it every day of my life, and could not for a nano second ever contemplate harming either of my percious angelic boys in any way, shape, or form.
As for Autism Speaks, they are a wonderful organization dedicated to education & research. So much has been acomplished in the world of Autism because of Autism Speaks.
I had the pleasure of having dinner with both Williams on the Capitol Limited in March 2004. It was clear to me that they were very close friends and were enjoying their time together. Mr. Lash was a very classy man.
I think that everyone should quit judging period. No one knows what really happened. I have a 4 year old son with autism who has never said one single word. Our days are hard. I love him with all my heart and he is my world. I could never try to compare my struggles to anyone elses. I am not a religious person but I do believe one day we will all be judged, lets hope our stories turn out better.