Macon Advocate for Autism Talks About Misconceptions of the Disorder

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — As people continue to ask ‘why’ about the shooting in Newtown, CT, one local advocate for autism says the neurological disorder is not the answer.

In 2008, Michael Buckholtz was diagnosed with a form of autism, called Asperger’s Syndrome. Recent reports have suggested that Adam Lanza, the shooter in the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre, may also have suffered from the same disorder.

Buckholtz explains there’s no link between autism and violent behavior. Instead, people with autism are usually the victims of violence, and shy away from social settings.

He says the disorder is not mental instability. It’s a neurological disorder. People with autism tend to be highly focused on one thing like music, and they learn from their environment.

“We love to mimic, we love to find the precision in something, and do that thing, and it’s important to know if we’re teaching autistic children conflict resolution they will hold onto it for the rest of their lives. So if you teach an autistic child that conflict resolution is ‘pick up some firearms and solve the problem, they will,” says Buckholtz, Founder of Aid for Autism Children Foundation, Macon.

Buckholtz says the media attention, is placing a negative stigma on people with the disorder. He believes tragic events like the one in Connecticut grow out of our culture’s violent approach to conflict.