I'm sure someone will get very offended by my question, but I wonder if Cho was autistic. There are autistic children who are easily identified by their being unable to look anyone in the eye. Also many are very wrapped up in video games as it is another reality. If it turns out that Cho was autistic, this is something that needs to be taken seriously as there are many autistic children in public schools today. Depending on the child, their anger is nearly visible and seething underneath the surface. Occasionally they have violent outbursts as well and teachers have been advised to give them breaks when they see this kind of potential explosion. Perhaps they don*t have access to guns as Cho did, but what about that kid in Minnesota(?) last year. Does anyone remember what I*m thinking of. Wasn*t he American Indian? This is of serious concern or should be.

Autistic? Please. All signs point to.... dan dan dan..... victimized.

A lot of you certainly overreacted. If you look at the trends, the majority of the mass killers in recent history listened to heavy metal music, wore trench coats, etc. The world is questioning our country's values and why there is so much violence.

I think our acceptance of things like heavy metal, Goth lifestyles, paganism, etc is part of it. We don't have any moral values on the East Coast (and California) unfortunately. People in the South and the heartland believe things like family values, sense of community, helping out neighbors, faith in their religion is important. These things are a bulwark against this kind of callousness and violence. Here in Blue America, we are taught its okay to screw around because we can always get an abortion, that if a mass killing or a terrorist happens its always the perpetrators that are the victims (about the Columbine killers being bullied, about the U.S. policies abroad provoking terrorism, etc).

Yes, what happened yesterday does reflect a serious values gap in our country. If someone listens to sick music or dresses in an antisocial way there is something wrong with them and they should be checked out. If we had profiled more, this tragedy could have been prevented, Columbine could have been prevented, and perhaps even 9-11 could have been prevented.

Also, slightly off topic but people elsewhere in the world, when something like this happens, always think we Americans are violent people.

Illegal immigrants are responsible for a large amount of the crime in the U.S. and other countries are also responsible through their shipments of drugs here. And on the record, we can't trust our government to protect us. Look at Virgnia Tech's response to the shooting. Look at Hurricane Katrina, the chaos after 9-11, the response to the Colorado and Pennsylvania shootings. I used to support gun control laws but if those students had been armed they could have defended themselves. And if I was on the streets of New Orleans after Katrina with the military 3 days away with looters everywhere, I sure as hell would want to be able to protect myself. Its completely disgusting that the state of Virginia didn't pass the law that would have allowed gun posession on campuses.

We've heard a lot recently from some of Cho's college professors. I'd now like to hear from some of his high school instructors and their insights into Cho and his world as an early adolescent. Therein, we may find bigger clues and the seeds of the ugliness that was spawned.

Terrapin2212 you are incredibly ignorant. Millions of people listen to heavy metal music. That does not make someone a killer. Millions of people play video games that are violent. That does not mean every kid out there wants to go play shoot'm'up on the streets. Millions of people don't go to church and have excellent morals. I am one of them. Simply because I believe God did not intend me to sit in a church every sunday (arbitrarily) and listen to some random person tell me what I should and shouldn't do does not mean I am not a moral person. And I guarantee there are plenty of church going people out there who have committed murder, rape, and assualt.

The shooter in this case was obviously serverly imbalanced and insane. Not the product of listening to a type of music or wearing a type of clothing. Oh and your trench coat theory goes out the window on this one, as his classmates are quoted as saying he generally wore jeans, a t-shirt, and a VT hat to class (oh no...quick lets lock up every college student that fits this profile!!!)

I wondered if autism might not be one of his issues as well. His uncle stated that they worried about the child not speaking when he was younger, his shyness, not being able to look anyone in the eyes. My child has these issues and was diagnosed under the huge umbrella of PDD-NOS (autism spectrum). Having said that qrsi, I can't tell you how stupid it is to even remotely think that autistic children or adults with autism are seething and ready to bubble over with violence and attack the world (or their little corner of it). My son, his classmates just see things differently than "normal" people. Cho might have had autism but if he did it was only one small part of much larger mental problems. Autism did not cause those actions.

to QRSI, While it is true Cho had some characteristics of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (difficulties with: social skills, communication, obsessive tendencies, adaptability and speech articulation amongst possibly other similarities), it would be prudent to let the experts determine that. There are some autistics who have extreme anger issues, as do individuals with bi-polar, schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders. We also know however, that most of these individuals are not gun wielding assassins.

It is obvious that not only did Cho show extreme warning signs, but the signs too could have been a cry for help. I am in NO way justifying or even sympathizing with him however, we have more mental illness in our society that we chose not to address or are unable to address because of privacy laws.

If ever there were some shred of making sense from an unfathomable insanity, perhaps the new commission that is being formed in Virginia to study the tragedy will help us truly understand how to act on deviate behavior, and intervene BEFORE its too late.

There is no question that Cho was mentally ill. The first thing that came to my mind was Autism (Asbergers) perhaps undiagnosed or not managed properly. How he was able to make it to his senior year in college is amazing. The descriptions of his inability to respond to social interactions and ridicule over the years, in the face of serious mental illness - must surely have led to a sea of resentments and pathological thinking. What must come from this trajedy, is a serious national discussion about the dire lack of adequate mental health services. This was a case of someone slipping through since childhood. Yes he was a murderer and responsible for his actions - but he was a very sick individual - there is no doubt.

After watching the video I have no doubt Cho was mentally ill. When people refer to 2005 events (stalking accusations and a threat of suicide) they do not realize that since then his mental illness could have became worse that led to this horrible tragedy. The most amazing thing here is: he was obviously seriously mentally ill - and did not get medical help. I understand that under the existing law if a person is 18 years or older, his/her permission is required to get medical help. And if a person is so mentally ill that he/she does not realize that this medical help is needed - we have a dead end.

Are you people insane? Autism is a developmental disorder. It does not indicate that everyone with autism is a killer. IT IS A MISNOMER that people with autism are "cold" and "unfeeling." I work with children with autism every day and I also have two children with autism of my own. They are, in fact, quite loving. With early intervention and social skills training, many of them go on to lead productive lives. In fact, the majority of kids with autism that I know are extremely intelligent, and LOVING.

Did you know that 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with autism?? No, they're not psychotic killers. But they do need to receive early intervention as quickly as possible.

Not everyone with autism develops schizophrenia or bipolar disorder or any of the other hordes of diagnoses that Cho obviously had. There were many red flags. Why are you blaming autism?

The first woman who posted (qrsi) is clearly ignorant about what autism even is, and how it manifests itself. Uneducated comments like yours will turn the public against kids who already have challenges in their lives. Yes, let's label them murderers too to compound the problems.

Educate yourself woman instead of blathering idiocy in a public forum on a topic you clearly know nothing about.

This is a long argued issue which affects many races, religion, political, sexual preferences, disabled; the actions of one does not depict the whole.

a child/person with autism disorder's does not pre-determine their futures, nor does it exclude them. they are still people with vast possibilities going either way. for each, it is their own individual person that depicts their out come. we cannot control all peoples thoughts. anyone can be unpredictable. look back in history, and many serial killers started having issues at a young age. many otherwise considered passive people commit murder.

we also must keep in mind, many violent crimes took place as a result of bullying. you don't have to be disabled to be bullied and harassed by peers. people out there are generally mean and uncaring to others. the issue shouldn't be about a disability, it should be awareness about bullying, at all ages. if there was that 'snapping' point, it probably had nothing to do with autism at all.

what ever was the deal with Cho, many people failed to step in. opportunities were obvious. Cho wasn't really keeping his tendencies a secret either. if the man had an autism spectrum disorder, it would have only played a small part into this horrible thing. if he was correctly diagnosed, autism played a very small part of his life.

as for qrsi? you obviously are aware in some way about autism, but at the same time so unaware. kids need breaks more so not to prevent violent outburst's. what happened at Red Lake MN has not been the only school shooting, and that didn't happen last year nor did that child have autism. that incident was also more related to cultural indifferences and maybe even racial hate.

I agree w/ QRSI. It has now been said that Cho was diagnosed w/ Autism back in S.Korea before coming to the U.S. *Cindy: remember you work w/ autistic children, very noble, but remember- no one worked w/ Cho. My points: Poor parents from another country unable to provide medical/mental health care for their child, and maybe are unconvinced it needs treating. Cho: Definitely severely autistic, not just the mild form. Throw in being in a new country w/ no one but your small family, parents probably spend more time w/ their business than w/ fam, sister (who is Princeton grad) prob buried in academic studies. He's then forced to attend a regular public school. A teacher FORCES him to read aloud, threatens to fail him if he doesn't, and when he does kids laugh at him because of his mumbled speech (Autistic trait) and tell him to "go back to China," push him down, shove him around, ridicule him. Language/Culture barrier. He boxes himself into his world w/ each passing year... It certainly *is* amazing how far he got through school... my question is WHY adminstrators/teachers/counselors etc never figured out this child was autistic, and that he should've been treated as such EARLY on, should've been in smaller classes, different learning environments. He never had a chance and 30+ dead is the result of A FAILED SYSTEM. It's very sad, and the attention for this needs to be on mental health, the above specifically because it's much more prevalent today than ever. I leave you with -http://classweb.gmu.edu/cip/g/gc/gc-c021.htm Please do not reply before researching autism thoroughly - Oh, and his multiple mentions of Pedofiles, disdain for John Karr and LaFave- well, perhaps this kid was molested to boot at some point... I guess we'll never know.

It really saddens me to think that people that don't even know Cho would speculate that he was autistic. As a parent of an autistic child this offends me. My child knows right from wrong. Just because he is autistic does not make him a killer. April is Autism Awareness month. Maybe all those that think he was autistic should take advantage of all the information being provided this month. I believe what our interests should be right now should be on the families of the 32 that this guy murdered not on the guy himself.

Cho was autistic, he was diagnosed, this is a fact reported by his family back in South Korea. Many articles at www.drudgereport.com

I posted earlier, and will respond again this time identifying that I am a parent of three teenaged children in the Autism Spectrum, and also work extensively in the Autism community.

15 years ago, the "reason" for autism was thought to be refrigerator mothers, and the incidence rate of 1 out of 10,000 children. Today, it is roughly 1 in 115, and THANK GOD we know better. Can bad parenting exacerbate a condition....OF COURSE.. is it the sole reason for disorders, NO WAY!

The services for Aspergers children (I have two) are a bandaid at best. They are passing all the exams, and coasting by unnoticed by our educational and medical communities.

the Cho family was not "poor", and as for uneducated, 99% of all families who are blessed with an Autistic child are also uneducated (despite possibly holding advanced degrees). There is no handbook. Some are disconnected, and some are loving and affectionate. My severely autistic son is completely connected, but his mental capacity is that of a 6 year old. His twin and older sister, are academically on target, and are more withdrawn.

We have the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT......that LEAVES EVERY CHILD BEHIND!!!!! It is all about the squeeky wheel. I hold an advanced degree, and yet this is a learning process. There ARE infact autistics who are teased, tormented, and socially abused, and they do lash out... but so are the dorky kids, math wiz, computer geek, and everyone else who is not mainstream social butterfly.

I certainly dont have the answers, but look around and see how much money is alloted for mental illness on your insurance policy. Speech pathology is often covered only minimally. WE have a long way to go.. I hope that this will somehow make us aware at the GOVERNMENT level, that just getting the grade means nothing, when we do not know how to function in the world. We have to educate the lawmakers and make serious changes, not bandaid after a tragedy.

K. Beller states that Cho was severely autistic. Clearly you're not up on your autism either. If the kid made it into Virginia Tech, which has very stringent entrance requirements, and did well enough to be a senior, he was NOT SEVERE. A person with severe autism is generally nonverbal, is likely to have behavior problems and lack of self awareness and awareness of others. Someone on the high end of the spectrum can read, write, and for the most part, assimilate. That's what Cho did. If he were severely autistic, there is no way he would have gotten into VT, let alone even applied to college at all.

I wish people would educate themselves before making ridiculous comments.

As I stated before, Cho likely didn't receive early intervention -- which is imperative for children with autism.

For those of you who are not educated in autism, please educate yourselves at www.autismlink.com

kbeller - it's PERFECTLY obvious that you don't have a child with autism or even know anyone with autism. Read, learn, educate yourself or be quiet, but don't EVER regurgitate Drudge garbage as gospel. Especially on this subject.

While it was clear to me from the moment that information regarding Cho's background began to surface that he was probably on the autism spectrum, I also knew that it would only be a short period of time before The Great Uninformed would begin to make their proclamations of "autism = bubbling rage", "autism = murderer", and even "untreated autism resulted in this horror." Wake up!!!! Severe mental illness brought this about- NOT autism! Not autism, not his haircolor, not his native language, not the clothing that he chose to wear, or the music that he listened to. It was severe untreated mental illness! Oh, and one more thing: autism, like diabetes, is NOT a mental illness.

QRSI, You ignorant A-hole!

Cho's diagnosis is NOT KNOWN!!! Some idiots say the word "autism", and then the telephone game begins. Then you have "bloggers" exaggerate things, and before you know it... people think Cho was Autistic. IT IS NOT KNOWN!!!

CNN stated it, but has since retracted it! His grand aunt said it, but what are her qualifications???

It's 2007 and very little in known about autism. (we're at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to knowledge/cause/effects, as autism is an epidemic that has gone largely unpublicized and un-researched!) Cho left South Korea in 1989. If his 3RD WORLD COUNTRY'S medical community knew sooooo much about autism prior to 1989 (when he would've "apparently diagnosed" since he's been living here for 18 years), then we'd greatly appreciate them sharing their knowledge with us here in America.

Cho clearly had issues. Let's leave it to professional's to diagnose and speculate, and not try to spread rumors of which you have little or no knowledge.

It's funny. Autism is a learning/processing disorder. What is the name for the disorder in which misinformed bloggers spread ignorant rumors? Oh yeah... it's called stupidism! ...and trying to cure stupidism is like trying to teach pigs to fly!

...and to the Holy roller that's from the south/mid America, are you kidding? I along with other Northeastern and Californian people forgive your ignorance about "our" moral aptitude and family values. We are able to forgive you because we're "smart enough" to realize that you are probably from an area of lower academic standards, and don't know any better. Either that or your brain shut down after your preacher/priest/whatever, had their way with you as a child. Congrats on being brainwashed. Now go back to Waco!

Best regards, Father of an autistic child. (I wonder if my "rage" will be blamed on autism or lack of "family values". I like to think it's based on the knowledge that there are so many people out there that don't understand that there are repercussions from there ignorant name calling and blindly uninformed accusations.) ...but I could be wrong. I'm from the northeast you know...

One may conclude that Cho was a high functioning autistic, otherwise called Asperger's Syndrome based on the official diagnosis symptoms posted at http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aswhatisit.html.

Asperger's was recognized officially as a mental disorder in 1994. Since then, there has probably not been enough case history to fully understand how the disorder exhibits itself throughout an entire lifetime. Like Alzheimer's disease, the impacts on society of Asperger's are yet to be fully understood and appreciated.

Law and Order: Criminal Intent had an episode that dramatized a serial killer who suffered from undiagnosed Asperger's that suggests, not defines, the disorder that a diseased personality may create in order to restore order to his life.

Art, in its stories, often presages Life.

Please, if you people don't know anything about Autism, then talk about something you do know about. Isn't there enough heartach going around right now without your ignorant speculations victimizing another group of innocent people. If you can't or won't take the time to inform yourself about Autism, then you have no business applying the label. Autistic people and their families have enough to deal with without having a bunch of unfounded propaganda circulated which serves no other purpose than to make the public paranoid about Autistic people. I know Autism intimately. It is my life. I breathe it, eat it, sleep it. What this man did has nothing to do with Autism, just like it has nothing to do with him being Korean, or male, or a student, or 23. Irrational violence happens across the board. Our Autistic children are not mentally disturbed anti-social ticking time-bombs. Please go burn your crosses in someone elses yard!

As the mom of a 9 yr old boy with Autism i can tell you he does not have an agressive bone in his body as most of the other Autistic kids i know i would be more afaid of my NORMAL niece who claims her religon to be a saitenist and thinks hitler was a hero not my autistic child who asks to hug total strangers and thinks god is a supper hero Autism does not = INSANITY but prehaps up bring abuse and lack of interevention Parental responsibility do

Whether or not Cho was Autistic has no importance here. It was his MENTAL illness that caused his crime. Autistic individuals are not "bubbling with rage". People that describe Autism like that are quite obviously uneducated about Autism. Oh and for those of you who are just so certain that the Autistic kids shouldn't be in our precious public schools look at it this way how many Neuro typical kids go nuts and decide to start killing people. I am sure they far outweigh any Autistic children doing this. April is Autism Awareness Month. Maybe you should all start educating yourselves on just what Autism is and why these kids have the problems they do have. We don't need a bunch of uneducated idiots trying to tell us how to raise our children, where they should and should not be allowed, and what their problems are. WE KNOW WE LIVE WITH THEM EVERY DAY. Autism is not just about the brain. It like other physical health issues causes problems in many body systems. These kids don't have anger or rage issues they have sensory issues it is a HUGE difference. Educate yourself before you judge.

oh and SOMEONE WHO WAS SEVERELY AUTISTIC WOULD BE INCAPABLE OF DOING THIS IF HE WERE SEVERELY AUTISTIC HE WOULD BE SO LOCKED UP IN HIS OWN WORD HE WOULD NEVER HAVE MADE IT TO COLLAGE GEEEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Read a book wont you

1) What the he77 did South Korea know about "Autism" 23 years ago?? It is like the word "retard" back in 1950, they just slap a label on anyone and call it a day.

2) What does any disability other than a mental illness have to do with his violent bloodbath? NONE. Moot point. Autism is a neurological disorder, and the "eye-contact" thing is not the same thing. It is the difference from someone who is "not aware of others being in his presence" (autism) and severely anti-social, someone who chooses to ignore his peers (sociopath)They can not even be compared. Mumbling is not a sign of autism, stupid. Any more than a LISP is. GAWD. Ed-u-cate yourself or shut up.

3) You are ignorant. You deserve a class action lawsuit from parents and autistics alike. This is slander that you should have liability for. Any other races, creeds, disabilities that you want to blame this monster's acts on???? Shame on you for causing fear and ignorance to run rampant. Instead of focusing on the victims, you are trying to blame an entire group of people when in fact, you should worry more about the depression meds this guy was taking that could have contributed to his suicidal/homical actions. There are warning labels and lawsuits over some of those meds out there. Where is the investigation on that?

This guy was not autistic. Homicidal is not one of the criterias of the disroder, Jack A$$. Try again.

I have a 3 year old son with autism & I am an autism awareness advocate. It worries me that so many people are gravely misinformed on this situation at hand with Cho. First off, his family moved here in 1992 from S. Korea. This supposed autism diagnosis didn't happen in Korea. According to this 85 year old aunt, he was diagnosed with autism shortly after moving here. Personally, what we are hearing is *hearsay* no one knows 100% sure. If there was a diagnosis made, it can be proven. & yes, Cho's family was very poor. IF there was autism there, he was high functioning & it wasn't what caused him to *snap* Clearly, the man had many things wrong mentally. There is a REASON why CNN retracted that statement...no PROOF. They cant prove it. & Yes he may have shown some autistic traits, but there are a lot of other mental illness's that have those same traits. I do not like autism being associated with this shooting. In fact, it down right scares me. So please educate yourself before making these assumptions & as far as all this heavy metal music & all this other stuff causing us to be less Moral, Its a line of crap to be honest. I live in the South (TN to be exact) & Guess what, I'm a pagan OH NO! SHOOT ME NOW! I must be evil. Actually, Pagans are generally more PEACEFUL. They are more in tune with nature then the average person. We respect nature & respect people. It is a very loving way of life. No, pagans don't sacrifice goats or babies or any of this other crap out there. Pagans aren't evil nor do they worship the Devil. I own a black duster...which looks like a trench coat. You do have your good christian folks down here that I love, but you do have your hypocrites down here too. Now, if i'm not mistaken, down here in TN I think, there was a preacher murdered...by his wife. So please, dont go that route either.

After reading all this, it occurs to me that we are all so unsettled by this senseless violence and we feel vulnerable. It seems to me that since we just can't seem to comprehend what would make someone do what Cho did, we are trying to give it a name, and one that distances itself from us as far as possible. That would explain why people who know nothing about Autism are blaming it on this disorder; and people who don't understand certain religions or ethnicities or musical preferences are throwing that out there. We feel like if we put a label on it, then we know what to look for in a potential threat. Also, if we call it "Autism" and we are not Autistic and we don't have Autistic children or friends or neighbors, then perhaps we are just a little safer. I am troubled by this too, but please, in trying to sift this all out, be careful that you don't leave more victims in its wake.

It saddens me to see Autism so easily pegged as the primary problem...however, ultimately it doesn't matter if he was Autistic or not. Regardless, he is responsible for his actions. As the mother of an Autistic teenager, I have to ask...where was the help HE needed and deserved? If "all the signs where there", then it's clear that not only is HE to blame, but whoever "dropped the ball" in HIS care also has blood on their hands. It's time to stop turning our backs on individuals with developmental, neurological, or mental disorders. When you choose to be in the dark while others suffer - THIS IS THE OUTCOME. My heart goes out to all the victims of this horrible tragedy as well as to their loved ones...this includes the loved ones of Cho as well.

Ok, I don't want to put any labels on anyone, but has anyone thought that this guy was just anti-social? My son is autistic and fairly severe at that and he is loveable. There are times when he can also be aggressive, but, only towards me. My son knows that I won't lash out at him when he is frustrated I will just help him get through it. Many autistic people couldn't even stand the sound of a gunshot! These people have sensory problems. Some of them can't stand loud noises. Autism is a spectrum not all affected are the same so saying all autistic people are violent is ridiculous. If Cho was autistic, and I don't think he was, it would be like saying all people with brown hair are "murderers ready to boil over" did I quote the insanity correctly? Please people get a clue! Autism has been around forever and how many murderers have been diagnosed as autistic? I can tell you this. I better not be confronted with some backwards thinking individual labeling my son as a potential murderer or I may end up in a courtroom somewhere. We parents with autistic children are fiercely protective. I surely won't tolerate it and no one that knows my son would tolerate it either. Even if you know nothing about autism any sane person can see how ludicris this "so called connection" is. This is just another case of reckless journalism perpetuating hate and violence. Lets stick to what we know to be fact, educate yourself before you start slinging rumors. In a time where 1 in every 150 children born is autistic we should be supporting them and their families, because the next family affected could be yours!

And by the way, what really bothers me the most is that IGNORANCE seems to be spreading faster than Autism. Which is apparent by the some of the comments on this page!!!! ANYONE ELSE UP FOR THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT SCREENWRITER BROUGHT UP? IF SO LETS FIND A WAY TO CONTACT EACH OTHER AND PUT IT TOGETHER.

Cho's recent roommates said he continually listened to the song "Shine" by Collective Soul. Its lyrics are:

"Give me a word - give me a sign
Show me where to look - tell me what will I find? (What will I find?)
Lay me on the ground and fly me in the sky
Show me where to look - tell me what will I find? (What will I find?)

Whoa - Heaven, let your light shine down
Whoa - Heaven, let your light shine down
Whoa - Heaven, let your light shine down
Whoa - Heaven, let your light shine down

Love is in the water - love is in the air
Show me where to look - tell me will love be there? (Will love be there?)
Teach me how to speak - teach me how to share
Teach me where to go - tell me will love be there? (Will love be there?)

Whoa - Heaven, let your light shine down
Whoa - Heaven, let your light shine down
Whoa - Heaven, let your light shine down
Whoa - Heaven, let your light shine down

Give me a word - give me a sign
Show me where to look - tell me what will I find? (What will I find?)
Lay me on the ground and fly me in the sky
Show me where to look - tell me what will I find? (What will I find?)

Whoa - Heaven, let your light shine down
Whoa - Heaven, let your light shine down
Whoa - Heaven, let your light shine down
Whoa - Heaven, let your light shine down

I'm gonna let it shine - I'm gonna let it shine
Heaven, let your light shine on me
Oh hey, yeah
Heaven, let your light shine on me

Shine
Shine on me, yeah
Shine
Come on and shine."

I don't think these lyrics incited his destructive behavior. However, the repetitive behavior is a symptom of Asperger syndrome.

The important question is was there some other media work that his possible autism locked in on that was destructive. Drudge Report linked to an article that compared his photos to scenes from the dark movie "Oldboy" which won the 2004 Grand Prix at Cannes Film festival.

It is critical for society to determine whether autistic people who are unsupervised may be negatively influenced by media pieces.

We live in a universe where physicists do not have the first law of physics to describe the behavior of dark energy and dark matter which comprise 95% of the universe. (See Scientific American and Discover magazines). I doubt that psychiatrists who formally defined Asperger Syndrome in 1994 know all there is to know about that disorder.

If Cho started life as an autistic, it should be scientifically examined if unsupervised exposure to unsavory media transformed him into a monster. Cho's transformation is a phenomenon which society needs to fully understand.

At first I found K.Beller's remarks offensive. Now, I just find them laughable considering where this person is getting their limited and incorrect information. It must pretty embarrassing to know that you showed your ignorance to the whole world on the Washington Post web site!!!

As a person whose 30+ year old cousin is autistic and a wonderful, kind, caring and talented individual and as someone whose now deceased aunt was a parent to him and involved in the Arcadiana Autism Society for about that length of time, I too am concerned about the negative focus this could put on people with autism. And also about the suspicions and the ill treatment it could generate. There is already enough of that to go around in this world and as another posted out, many on the ASD spectrum - including those with Asperger's, are often bullied. As are many kids without developmental disorders. An article posted on abc.com from a Nightline feature says that "Noah is not alone, and some school systems are working on a solution to the social angst that affects many with the disorder. Jed Baker, a psychologist who works with many kids with Asperger's, found out the situation for kids with the disorder was very severe. - "In some areas, there have been reports of 90 percent of kids with Asperger's are getting bullied on a daily basis," he said. The majority of people with the condition of autism are not violent and they suffer greatly from this ill treatment and may be less able to process this. PLEASE NOTE: I am not stating that Mr. Cho was or was not autistic - I don't know, though I see many things I personally can identify that would support that he may well have been a high functioning autistic individual or have had exhibited many characteristics on the spectrum - nor am I suggesting that if he had been, that that is what led to the violence and his deeply troubled mind. Nor am I condoning what he did or the loss of innocent lives. Just think that the article was a good one and of value and worth mentioning. I am one of those people that feel that even if autism was a present factor, that there was some other mental illness, or psychosis that probably he suffered from that culminated in the VA Tech tragedy. I am not going to pretend I am an expert or try to do an arm chair diagnosis. Just stating my opinion on some things based on personal experience, knowledge and a lot of cross referencing and reading. I do agree with all the posters who have pointed out what a difference early diagnosis, education, treatment, behavior modification and support from family, medical community and school as well. This is true in case of condition (note, is not a mental disease) or forms of severe mental illness or anxiety. I have read that his family was very, very poor and that the parents spoke no English when moved here. The boy knew no English as it wasn't taught in his Korean school and it was something of a quick decision to move to America. People who have children with challenges know how hard it is to get help even if you and your kid are born here and much depends on what is available where you live, funding, if you are educated about what you need help in, if you happen to speak English. A great many factors. I do believe that someone who cannot communicate and who is repeatedly taunted for this is at more of a disadvantage and in more need of early support. But he also was not communicating before he came to America and they didn't know what to do to help him there either. Often people try too hard to fix someone or don't try hard enough. I personally did not get the feeling his family was trying to brush this off as not their fault. I don't think they were any better equipped to understand their son than most of us feel we are or the students felt who crossed his path on a daily basis. I am still horrified by what has transpired and I agree wholeheartedly with so many who wonder why laws won't let police, mental health professionals, etc. intervene more before something drastic and irreversible happens. I do know why, of course. But I still despair over this. There is also a possibility that something in his mental makeup was so severely out of whack, that nothing anyone could have done would have made an appreciable difference. I suspect he was genetically predisposed to be susceptible to certain things and it likely got worse as hormones also played a part and yes, environment, how people treated him did not help and bullying isn't acceptable either, nor is a system passing someone through because it is easier than trying to get through to them. I do commend Lucinda Roy for really trying with him on a personal and professional level and for doing her best to get authorities to listen. I also commend his family for the statement they put out and full willingness to cooperate. I have read everything I can find on the victims in tribute to their memories and their families. I would bet it was a combination of several things. But I do believe that what is so bad about Mr. Cho and what he did is not because he was autistic, if that proves to be true.

About Collective Soul.

"Shine" is a damn good song. It has never made me want to hurt anyone, however. Are you kidding me? Again, Stoo-pid is as Stoo-pid does. Why are you reciting lyrics and blaming Aspergers? Repetitive behavior is also a symptom of OCD ~ Ever watch the movie "As Good As It Gets?"..Maybe we should blame Hollywood with all of it's brutal disgusting unimaginable horror movies, or XBOX/PLAYSTATION with it's violent games.

You are an absolute idiot if you think for one minute that someone who is an aspie is the only one vulnerable to suggestive lyrics. I suppose one in every 10 people are aspies then. Where are you getting your facts and statistics from?? THE ENTIRE HUMAN SOCIETY is vulnerable to the media, movies, trends, all of it. None of us are immune, so quit assuming that persons with sensory and communication disabilities are the only ones who are touched by surroundings and products of their environments. I could argue this point until 2020. And I would be right every time. So bring it on.

Cho's aggressive rage was CONTROLLED and used as a tool to carry out violence. True autistics have no such control over when and where, and they certainly do not premeditate or knowingly use rage as a way of controlling their pain.

This guy even took the time to get NBC's address and calmly mail a package out before he went on to phase 2. People with autism do not derive pleasure from getting even and hurting others. They do not seek out revenge. Find another mental disorder to pin this on.

Anytime you are ready, you can stop spewing your bigotry and see this VT situation for what it is.

Hate. Evil. Sadism.

Sadistic personality disorder is a pervasive pattern of cruel, demeaning, and aggressive behavior, beginning by early adulthood, as indicated by the repeated occurrence of at least four of the following:

Has used physical cruelty or violence for the purpose of establishing dominance in a relationship (not merely to achieve some noninterpersonal goal, such as striking someone in order to rob him or her)
Humiliates or demeans people in the presence of others
Has treated or disciplined someone under his or her control unusually harshly.
Is amused by, or takes pleasure in, the psychological or physical suffering of others (including animals)
Has lied for the purpose of harming or inflicting pain on others (not merely to achieve some other goal)
Gets other people to do what he or she wants by frightening them (through intimidation or even terror)
Restricts the autonomy of people with whom he or she has a close relationship, e.g., will not let spouse leave the house unaccompanied or permit teenage daughter to attend social functions
Is fascinated by violence, weapons, injury, or torture
The behavior has not been directed toward only one person (e.g., spouse, one child) and has not been solely for the purpose of sexual arousal (sexual sadism).

Go look it up at Wikipedia or mentalhealth.org and learn more before you speak.

Aspies do not hurt mass amounts of people for pleasure. They have infact have a fight or flight (again, look it up on your own time) response and can be aggressive in defending their "space" during a "moment" but it is impulsive and short lived, not premeditated and long-suffering.

Do you really want to argue this point any further? My suggestion to you is that you give up on round 3. Parents and loved ones of autistics will not stand for this guy being a posterchild. Hell no.

Come talk to us over at:

www.myspace.com/badmoms

I am the founder of B.A.D. ~ Banish Autism Discrimination and I know there are alot of people who would love to inform you of what autism is and what it is clearly NOT. Feel free to stop by and say HI.

jgraziani The only thing I see shining in your last post is your ignorance. The way you put it any kid that listens to music, watches dora the exploerer, diego, or about any other childhood educational program is Autistic. ALL of those programs and most songs are repetetive in nature duh. I listened to that same song when I was younger a lot, many others I know did too are we all Autistic? Just because someone likes to listen to a certain song even if they do like to listen to it a lot over and over again does not mean they are Autistic or have asperger's syndrome or any other related disorder. Yes SOME people on the spectrum are more comfortable with repetetive things but not all of them. How do you know this isn't a manifestation of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or something else of the like? Well you have accomplished one thing today. I nearly fell off my chair lmao at you. That one is nearly as unintelligent as my sil stating that other kids could "catch my son's Autism". I just LOVE the fact that we get to live in a world with people like you who think they know EVERYTHING about ASD's and really know nothing. If you want to learn about Autism start talking to people who live with it every day and get your head out of the computer. Nearly all songs are repetitious in nature so that really is not a good way to determine if someone is affected by Autism.

The history books are filled with people who *think* they know about a "group of people" and in their hasty ignornace assume all kinds of things that lead to the downfall of civilization. Would you care for some examples of how a few of you folks sound??

My advice to you, is to be careful that you don't wind up in court for falsely portraying a group of people who are protected by law from this kind of observation and intolerance.

People with autism are more afraid of you then you could ever dream of being of them. I am so unbelievably tired of having to educate people who can not think for themselves, and do not posess the intelligence it takes to actually make scientific observations from FACTS as opposed to FICTION.

This guy had suicidal/homicidal tendancies, and where in the medical books do YOU see that criteria for ASD disroders? Hmmm??? That IS the criteria, however, for several other mental health disorders. My advice to you is to look it up and stop spreading false accusations against innocent people.

Otherwise, once again, society will let people like CHO slip through the cracks, undetected, while they are unturning the wrong STONE.

I have an autistic child. He is a beautiful, loving, sweet, handsome, brilliant, caring person. He is very intouch with other people's emotions, even if he doesn't always know exactly what to do for those people- but he wants to help, to make them feel better, to laugh and smile and enjoy life.

I know how difficult it is to get appropriate, adequate services for an autistic child. Remember, most medical insurance considers autism to be an educational issue. School consider it medical, if they consider it at all. I am very educated about autism, about my child, about the school system, and I am still in teh process of hiring a lawyer. The people the law says are supposed to be helping you are the ones who also have to watch their bottoms lines- a very basic and aggregious conflict of interest. The only person at an IEP meeting who is there as an advocate for the child is teh parent- who is often dismissed as "a parent", even if they ARE knowledgable and educated, because it is often seen as... get this... a conflict of interest!

Ha ha.

Remember that ASD is not mental illness. It is a neurological difference or dysfunction that can result in problems functioning in a world not designed for people with autism. The discrimination and ignorance my child will face as he grows into a man is frustrating and exasperating, but face it we will. I will work hard to keep my beautiful, loving child a caring, loving human being.

My child not violent. He is not angry. He is not a danger to anyone, including himself. Like everyone else, autistic people are unique individuals with unique personalities.

FYI to those who are labeling him autistic, schizophenia shares many traits that autism does (in the DSM it clearly states that in order to receive a dx of autism you must not have any type of personality disorders like schizphrenia). It is VERY common for younger children to be misdiagnosed with autism, bipolar, ADHD, ODD, schizophrenia, etc. This is because there is no blood test to determine the correct diagnosis, it is all based on someones opinion and series of exhibited behaviors.

There is a possibility that he had BOTH autism and schizophrenia. He was at a typical age that schizophrenia is caught or diagnosed.

I think he has always had a personality disorder and NOT autism. After reading several accounts of his behaviors it seemed that he was paranoid, did not want realtionships with people, and had classic signs of schizophrenia NOT autism.

"It's what we learn after we think we know it all that counts."
- Elbert Hubbard

I am not posting in order to disparage those who suffer autism. It is a condition that tests the compassion of non-autistic persons.

At the same time, in order to fully understand any catastrophe, one must dispassionately consider all the facts to come to the correct conclusion about its cause.

I bring up the possibility of Cho's high functioning autism/ASD as a possible fact to be considered as a contributing factor, not the primary cause of his meltdown.

The catastrophe at VT was the social equivalent of a magnitude 9.0 earthquake. Consider how long it has taken mankind to understand the dynamics or causes of earthquakes, and yet we are still incapable of predicting them.

Cho may have sent his manifesto to NBC because that network produced the Law and Order episode which portrayed a victim of Asperger Syndrome, and thus he thought they would understand what he suffers. His motivation may have been to call attention to the plight of all victims of his condition. If this hypothesis is true, then Cho's actions may be a blessing in disguise for all who suffer autism if it ultimately results in a society that is more aware of and compassionate toward high functioning autistics. It may turn out that Cho also suffered from fetal alcohol disorder which would add a violent aspect to his autism/AS.

I don't claim to know it all, and I doubt anybody who does claim to know it all because know-it-alls are roadblocks to meaningful progress.

I have read that Cho was in deed diagnosed with Autism at eight years of age... but no intervention took place.

Frankly I started to believe Cho had autistic traits as I listened to interviews on Tuesday as students, staff shared their thoughts about Cho.

It wasn't autism that killed people in Virginia Tech but an individual that had exhibited symptoms of a learning disability at a young age and the people that came in contact with all the years in school did nothing to intervene.

Why? because he was smart, a loner and Korean and probably because his own family didn't accept the diagnosis (this isn't so unusual is it?)

I think it is wrong to deny that Cho exhibited autism traits... It is not autism that killed people but this individual Cho who never received help or interventions for years..........

This is so important for parents to remember and a lesson for all people who try to deny children services/support or say they are too smart to receive services at all... even though they have a diagnosis. All the years that Cho was in school, all the teachers that had in class didn't see that he had a disability and did nothing speaks volumes to me. It is not so unusual to hear about kids that are smart, shy, lacking social skills that continue to get pushed through the system for a myriad of reasons......schools don't want to provide services, parents don't want to accept the diagnosis, parents don't know their rights under law for interventions, and some parents have issues that compound getting help for their own child...

If we don't accept that Cho was diagnosed with autism and learn from this, we are compounding the problem of getting help for thousands of children now and in the future. While I admit that children on the autism spectrum are not usually violent, keep in mind this young man was someone who never had intervention and who knows what it was like for him to deal with day to day issues..which I am certain most people didn't even know as he didn't share his feels.. How many kids on the autism spectrum have challenges with sharing their feelings?

Remember this individual Cho does not represent Autism - he was diagnosed with it and no one did anything to intervene.

Can you imagine being diagnosed with cancer when you are eight-years old and then no one does anything for years, even though they suspect something is wrong? Then you "suddenly" do things from rage...because you are dying inside and no one did a thing to help.

I am not trying to justify what Cho did as right, what I am saying is that this individual needed help, was diagnosed with autism and lived without any treatment/therapy for years... not able to have friends, social issues, etc. and then people are surprised this individual like this.

By denying the diagnosis now, people will further contribute to other's not getting the help they so desperately need.

Monica Moshenko, Parent, Advocate

Host - DisAbility News & Views Radio

www.disabilitynewsradio.com

Article "Cho Was Autistic: Family"

http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/cho-was-autistic-family/2007/04/21/1176697133222.html

Someone said "he must have been severely autistic". HA!! My son is "severely autistic" and I wonder where in his day of disney movies, crushing food into the floors, soiling himself, stimming he would find time to write a murder manifesto, purchase a firearm and plot a mass killing. Let us not forget that my son cannot verbally communicate, write, or stop making noises long enough to sit in a regular classroom. He is also NEVER left alone because my son is the largest danger to himself because he can't understand what will hurt him and what won't. I am so sickened by the ignorance of others needing to blame someone or something. Sometimes there are just bad people and stuff just happens...I know scary. But if we keep accusing groups of people we will have another Salem witch hunt on our hands and we all know how that turned out. The world is getting a taste of what we as parents of autistic children feel everyday. This like why are children are autistic cannot be explained and we may never know why. We just have to live with it and pick up the pieces.

I have shared my thoughts and belief that Cho had autism based on the information shared observations of him.. Remember these were students that had lived in the dorm and attended school with Cho. No one has come forward from elementary, middle or high school to share their thoughts..perhaps because they are embarrassed to do so..Why? Because Cho probably exhibited the autistic symptoms/behaviors in school and no one intervened. My concern is that people will not let this happen, as I continue to get calls from parents, some of them even in my own son's school district or from parents of kids that are teens in high school, asking me to help them advocate for their child with ASD... WHY? Because no one wanted to acknowledge the problems that existed in years prior in school... Now the kids are in middle/high school and it is more challenging to secure the services and interventions needed.
The other problem I having is that it seems there are some in the autism community that are having a really tough time dealing with the reality of this truth that Cho was diagnosed with autism..
Truth is truth ... If the autism community doesn't come together and acknowledge that Cho had autism that was left untreated for years, this will further add problems to anyone that is needing services/supports for autism. While it is difficult to accept that anyone could kill someone else, especially a person with autism as most are not violent, this individual did not get help/treatment. We cannot know what his life was like or what he went through each day, but without help, he was ticking time bomb waiting to go off.. There are many children who quietly have taken their lives - some as young as eight years old.. WHY? Because they were victimized by students, staff and others. They were not able to cope as they had ASD and no effective supports or interventions to help.

I found it amazing that the media is so reluctant to acknowledge the autism diagnosis when so many parents and individuals with autism see the writing on the wall.

Why is it different for the media to accept when a mother kills her own children, ie. Andrea Yates, and her mental diagnosis as the reason for it? Because the public and the media still have a long way to go when it comes to even understanding Autism.

There are many success stories of children with autism.. early and intensive intervention makes a difference!!

It saddens me that an intelligent newspaper like the WP has not worn off on more of its readers. I can't believe some of the staggeringly idiotic comments I have read today.
AUTISM IS NOT A MENTAL ILLNESS- can we get that out there please? It is a developmental disorder. It effects social and language skills mostly, but even without early intervention does not create monsters. As the PP mentioned, severely autistic people often do not attend college.
Here's a little more food for thought; I can bet you money that an Autistic adult, regardless of rage issues due to systematic neglect, would not take the time to make several videos and send them to a NEWS ORGANIZATION BETWEEN KILLINGS. This man was a total narcissist. Regarless of whether he suffered from Autism, he was mentally ill, and that is what we need to focus on.
Those posters who are saying that we should keep an eagle eye on autistic kids, who pass that fear onto their own children, will keep kids like my son who is autistic from getting playdates and making friends. So get yourself educated. Fear breads ingnorance and vice versa.

My heart goes out to you traumaqueen32, but at the same time I laughed out loud at your last post. My ASD child has been up since 4am walking around the house reenacting a scene from Toy Story (sounds like it might be where Zurg tells Buzz that he's his father). He can't organize a trip to the bathroom without 20 stuffed animals accompanying him let alone make a video, buy a gun, bid on bullets off ebay (wait he has ebay mastered - I still recall the $3,159 bid he placed on a toy from Shrek II (we won!)) It's hard sometimes isn't it? My son talks to himself and acts out movies even in public. People stare, laugh, make thoughtless remarks, like he has no feelings, like I'm not there and can't hear them. My son is oblivious. I'm trying to be more like him.

Interesting fact reported at http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070421/D8OL9JRO0.html linked to on Drudge Report

Cho sold text books on E-bay:
"They include "Men, Women, and Chainsaws" by Carol J. Clover, a book that explores gender in the modern horror film; the publisher's note reads: "Do the pleasures of horror movies really begin and end in sadism?"

Others include "The Best of H.P. Lovecraft: Bloodcurdling Tales of Horror and the Macabre," by H.P. Lovecraft; and "The Female of the Species: Tales of Mystery and Suspense" by Joyce Carol Oates - a book in which the publisher writes: "In these and other gripping and disturbing tales, women are confronted by the evil around them and surprised by the evil they find within themselves."

Books by those three authors were taught in his Contemporary Horror class,..."

What kind of trouble could ideas like these cause in the mind of an unsupervised highly functional autistic, or Asperger Syndrome sufferer?

jgraziani you are such a fool. What kind of problems could those books cause in any anti-social impressionable persons mind. Why are you beating a drum against autistic people. This could be a child you raised considering the hate that spews from your garbage you write. Children learn from what they are taught in childhood. If you haven't been listening let me repeat the message AUTISM IS NOT A MENTAL DISORDER occasionaly it accompanies a mental disorder in a person but usually it is a developmental disorder. The way you keep repeating yourself and perseverating on the subject is making me think that there is something wrong with you. Anyone care to guess what????

Dear trauma,
perhaps I have undiagnosed Asperger's

Doubt it!!! You're not smart enough!!! Can I get a hell ya my apspies and auties!!!!

Dear trauma, (although drauma seems more appropriate in light of your last request for applause)

To refute your erroneous assumption, it would help you to know that my dormmates called me Computer Craziani (note the spelling) for my innate ability to rapidly solve mathematics or science problems.

It's more obvious that you share the talents of Alec Baldwin.

Adhominem attacks are feckless.

If you would calmly point out the errors in my observations and conclusions, I would learn. However, it is understandable that your son needs your attention and energy more than I do.

I wish you well.

I pray that the lessons learned from Cho's tragedy helps society become more compassionate towards autistic children if his autism/Asperger's is confirmed by investigators.

I understand your concern. If society becomes fearful of autistic children because of Cho, it will be harder for your son. When stupid people become fearful, they tend to become mean.

I know for I have experienced their meanness when I was younger.