Is having asperger's news?

Post Reply New Topic

Recent news story here in the UK - Hacking suspect Ryan Cleary 'has Asperger's syndrome'

Putting aside what he's done for a moment - how is his being an aspie considered news?

I heard about this hacking case when he was initially arrested, today watching the news the fact he's an aspie was itself a news story, and I wonder why - legally does this even effect anything?...for that matter, should it?

Is this a case of 'Oh, he has Asperger's [super-smart/'ret*d'/lacks understanding of morals/no social life/nerd boy/disabled person to be pitied/etc.] THAT explains it ' or 'OMG he has the Asperger's, he's obviously a criminal super-villain!'?

Does 'has Asperger's syndrome' say anything for how we are viewed by society, and is it for the better or worse?
Isn't this just playing to prejudices about Asperger's?

According to my cousin who has a degree in journalism told me they do this because it draws more attention and makes it better news for them. They do the same with nationalities and skin colors like "Black man robs bank" or "Illegal immigrant may be charged with homicide" and I am sure in other countries we be described as white or American or British, where ever we come from.

There are always slow news days.

"Poodle beauty contest draws crowd of 15!"

"Man Dies" is not much of a headline, but "Autistic Man Dies" is, and "Death of Autistic Man Ignored by Aspies" is even more so.

It adds interest to the story I suppose. The media will draw parallels with Gary McKinnon. The Guardian has the headline that he 'suffers from autism'.

It will have implications for the court case, as Asperger's will fall into a category of 'mental and behavioural disorders'. So he will probably be treated more leniently.