Santa Barbara Tragedy

The young man that committed the terrible murders was someone that did everything possible in his younger years, middle school years, and high school years to call out for real help. It never arrived. In the various articles regarding the killer Asperger's Syndrome is mentioned almost in passing on the way to labeling the fellow a mad man.

How was his illnesses addressed during these times? With out all of the details it appears that changing schools was the main remedy. Child psychologists and pediatric psychiatrists know well the symptoms and the results of untreated mental conditions like Asperger's. Repeatedly moving a child's head from one school to another is not a treatment. It the treatments for Asperger's are subtle giving kids various means to handle personal interactions, how to read facial expressions and body language, how to deal with apparent rejection, and how to communicate with others in an understandable manner.

Most kids learn these skills through play, on the playground, or through watching others. Without being taught coping mechanisms to deal with the noisy, hectic, and crowded classroom these kids retreat into a world of paranoia, loneliness, and anger.

Addressing the needs of the Asperger's youngster takes patience and skill. In our neighborhood the Center for Learning Unlimited is a place where the needs of these kids are addressed. The director of the school knows her stuff without psychobabble interfering. The staff of the school includes seasoned behaviorists, psychologists, therapists, and credentialed teachers well versed in the needs of these kids.

There are no miracles, but the parents who find their way to this school know that they have found something special.