And therein lies all tragedy - focusing on the effects and ignoring the causes.

I saw one disturbing commment about the movie, I think it was on a bookmarking site, "There's one more serial killer waiting to happen." I hadn't read anything about the library incident, so I wondered what in the world caused have caused such a reaction. Knowing makes it even worse. I've always been obsessed by subjects until I understand them thoroughly, but until recently, I had no idea that it was related to Asperger's. I wonder if such behavior doesn't also stand out because so few "normal" people have much interest in reading in depth.

The fact that people are reacting so stupidly may be because, although they don't know he has Aspberger's, they do know he's different. If he was a "regular" kid reading about serial killer's, he probably could have gotten away with it without incident.

Although I find it sad that such a leap was made by the librarian without even talking to Billy, it seems her behavior is explainable along the same lines that Billy's is. Serial killers are a topic of fascination for many because they behave outside the norms of emotion. They kill with seemingly little remorse. It is a methodical appearing behavior carried out with a disturbing callousness. Likewise, when the child with aspergers did not display normal grief for his grandfather, it likely disturbed those who were outwardly grieving. They wouldn't understand it. They would want to "make sense of it." Just as Billy wanted to make sense of serial killers, the librarian wanted to make sense of Billy. Blogs such as this and all of the literature available on Asbergers are a step in the right direction. The librarian can read about and try to better understand children with Asbergers. The simple fact that this does not indicate that she herself has Aspbergers perhaps will be a clear slap on the face that it's non-sensical to assume Billy is a serial killer just because he wants to understand serial killers.

I began high school two years ago and since I've been there I've been picking up everything I can get my hands on. When I was in middle school I was put into therapy and I didn't understand depression or why anything I did was abnormal. I didn't understand comorbidity or other psychological problems. I couldn't figure out why I was put through therapy and what I did that was so bad that I was being "punished" for it.

I then developed an interest in writing, reading, and above all else psychology. Serial Killers made sense to me because it was a clear line between right and wrong that almost everyone agrees on and it gave me a starting point to understanding the people I lived with.

I don't have aspergers to my knowledge but reading this article and it was somewhat comforting to have someone understand where I come from when I read about morbid subjects.

It is ironic that reading about serial killers was assumed to reflect this young man intentions and character. Reid Meloy, the leading authority on serial killers once mentioned in a seminar that the most poplar book on the shelves of serial killers is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It is not likely this reflects their concern for the mental health and wellness of their fellow citizens…

Given the current environment and concern for violence in schools, the librarian’s response is not at all surprising. The vast majority of schools are places where learning is promoted in safe and encouraging environments but it would be unwise to simply ignore the exceptions where violence erupted and lives were prematurely lost.

My area of work has been primarily in the arena of juvenile violence and more recently dementia related violence in the elderly. This seems like an odd combination on the surface but being dismissed as worthless, undesirable, and as lacking the capacity for redeeming social contribution is a painful, confusing, and difficult thing to sort out regardless of age. The frustration of a world that does not seem to make sense and the experience of not fitting in and being unwanted can result in what others may see as callousness but it would be good to remember that a callous is simply skin that has been continuously subjected to pain and injury without proper healing. It is by design, intended to stop the sensation of pain by protecting the wound from further irritation.

Serial killers are not AS and AS kids are not going to become serial killers. However, what I can tell you is that many AS teen age kids are mis-diagnosed as oppositional defiant or conduct disordered and deemed incorrigible. One of my kids once mis-spelled this as “encouragable” which I thought showed much more insight. It is also not surprising the the majority of these so called remorseless teens are "neuro-atypical"...

I hope the young man keeps on reading and maybe rather than being kicked out of school which is becoming increasingly common in situations like this because of “zero tolerance” policies instituted in many school districts, someone will have a conversation with him and “encourage” his attempts to learn about things he does not yet understand. Understanding prevents blind judgment just as blind judgment prevents understanding...

I found the article and discussion very interesting and helpful. Just be aware that AS kids mis-diagnosed with conduct disorders and labeled delinquents receive an even lower degree of compassion and empathy...also sadly ironic....

Very interesting post. I am quite curious about this movie now. Having seen the trailer, however, I think it might 'hit too close to home,' and be rather traumatic for me to watch.

Great article! I haven't watched the film. But will do!
I don't know much about autism though. Unfortunately first time coming across the subject discussed here believe it or not. Although have heard of it a lot. Still wondering what it is. But have a feeling from just this post that it must be pretty painful emotionally for a child to be autistic and my heart goes to them.

It is touching for the child to read books on heart condition after his grand father passes away. All this inquiry into things shows a deep mind. And I agree with one of the posts don't we wish all kids would be as inquisitive and not brain-washed in front of computers?