Laws and Autism

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Ok, so there's a local criminal case about which I can't seem to stop thinking. It involves a minor high school student with Asperger's who wrote some notes threatening other students. He's now in juvenile prison until after the holidays, and I can't stop thinking about him and comparing him to my son and getting all weepy. I want to do something to help him and his parents, but their names are not being released. I could contact their lawyer, but would that be socially unacceptable? Does anyone have any ideas about how I could support this family?
The local newspaper and online commenters are treating him harshly.

I think contacting their lawyer would be fine. The family will appreciate the support, whether you simply choose to write a "thinking of you" letter, or offer something more.

It is the sort of thing we all worry about at some point in our children's development, if not continuously, isn't it?

Yup, I'd contact their lawyer. They're going to need a friend-- and even just one person means that they're less alone. We have to stick together.

Look-- if they don't want the contact, they won't respond. No blood, no foul, no permanent harm done. And if they do, it could make the difference between being OK and, well, NOT.

Hold out that hand.