What is Asperger's? - New York News | NYC Breaking News

What is Asperger's?

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Reports indicate the gunman in the Newtown, Conn., school massacre suffered from Asperger's syndrome.

The syndrome is a developmental disability characterized by difficulties in social exchanges and repetitive patterns or behaviors.

But mental health experts say suggesting that Aspergers was the cause of gunman Adam Lanza's rampage on a school are unfair.

"That does not in any way mean that is the cause for what he did. There is the possibility he had a mental health illness that was not diagnosed. Some mental health issues are not diagnosed until the 20s. There is no correlation between violence and autism," said Jennifer Cerbasi, a former special education teacher.

"If in fact, this person does have a diagnosis we will need to understand that and all the other circumstances that may have combined to make him do this," said Peter Bell, Exec. VP of Autism Speaks.

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