On violence, suffering, horror, and hope
March 2, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Violence.
Violence done to autistic persons is never easy to talk about, to understate the matter. It is the sad truth that I have written about such acts of violence upon autistic persons too often here, as you’ll find if you look under the crime or safety categories to the right. Reading about Liz Carroll, who was convicted of the murder of her 3-year-old foster son, Marcus Fiesel and who is seeking a new trial, inevitably recalls the horrific circumstances of Marcus’ treatment by Carroll and her husband, David Carroll, and of Marcus’ death.
Equally hard to read are the circumstances surrounding the stabbing death of 15-year-old James Alenson by 16-year-old student John Odgren at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School in Massachusetts on January 19th. Odgren has been indicted on a charge of first-degree murder and faces life in prison, as the Boston Herald and many other news sources are reporting today.
My initial post about Marcus Fiesel back in August prompted many expressions of shock and sorrow; my initial post about John Odgren set off an often acrimonious exchange of comments regarding his having Asperger’s syndrome. And perhaps it might be better—might be easier—not to mention all this violence; certainly there is plenty else to talk about concerning autism. It seems to me, though that there are more than enough of these kinds of stories regarding autism in the mass media, about violence, or aggression, or the horror of it all. I do not think it would be right not to respond to these kinds of stories—-I think of Joseph Beaudoin, who was killed by his roommate just over a year ago, on February 21, 2006; do you remember him?—-and I think it all the more necessary to write about these stories because “violence, suffering, and horror” are the public perception and understanding of autism.
When I mention that I am writing about autism, or that my son has autism, to strangers or to people I do not know too well, there is often a small silence on hearing what is perceived to be a depressing and even a dark topic associated with sadness and suffering. I certainly do not deny that our life with Charlie has not had moments of these. Sure we hear a lot, even too much, about violence and autism:But I think we need to continue to talk about these issues so that others who do not have the chance to be (as I am) raising a great kid named Charlie can see that there is a lot more to autism then suffering and horror.
I hope always to emphasize that where there is autism, there is plenty of hope, plenty of light.
yes, I hear that silence too.
I hear the silence, too. In my teaching, with students on the spectrum mainstreamed in my class, I hear noise from people who fear the unknown.
“Noise from people who fear the unknown”—yes. I try to smile into the silence…..
Dr. Chew,
Thank you for this article. I appreciate very much that it points out that not all individuals wih autisim and Asperger’s have violent tendencies. I am the teacher that formerly worked with John and had plenty to say on your other blog. I have to admit the anger overtook me from what he did to another child. As a teacher, I love all children, and my main goal is to keep them safe, I am their “parent” during the day. Thinking that something like that could happen is more than heartbreaking. In turn however you are right, not all children with the same disabilities are like John.
Jenny, Thank you very much for writing here again; I always especially learn from what teachers say. I’m a teacher too—-of college students, but for more than a few it is their first experience being away from home—-and very much feel that I am, as you note, in loco parentis. What happened that day in that high school is too awful.
Thank you again for commenting here.
I’m not sure if you had heard some of the less reported news on the situation. The town of Sudbury has been very kind to James’ parents. The family has been so upeset by the incident that they decided to move. The town rallied together and actually bought the families house. It is a relief that through all of the tragedy James’ family has suffered that they are being taken care of by the commuinity. People they don’t even know (including myself) are sending them cards of sympathy and encouragement. The situation makes you see the worst in human beings as well as the best. And all I can say is thank god for those people who are showing love and support to this family who so desprately need it.
And thank you for this news—–it’s good, very good, to know.
My autistic son has been violent toward me and others since 15 months old. Now he is 17 and I cannot control him on my own. He still self-soothes poorly. I fear for his safety and mine. He also abuses family pets in his “tantrums”. Any thoughts?
tania,
what kind of a school program is he in—how do his teachers respond when he is violent? (hope you do not mind me asking)