As a person with AS I know that the level of severity is different in different areas for different people who are diagnosed with Asperger's. However, I have noticed a trend here lately with AS males specifically who do things that are illegal, and wrong, then attempt to play the autism card. No. Not okay. This Guy for instance. He is on his way to being a serial rapist and he cries Asperger's. I'm sorry, but since when did AS damage one's ability to know that it's not okay to run down the street sexually assaulting women?
There's been other stories I've heard of lately that I'd probably incite a voracious argument on my blog if I were to name them, due to my less than popular opinion on them. I will say in general, if one has at least an average IQ and has Asperger's then you have the ability to know right from wrong and to control your impulses toward your obsessions. Having a special interest in something doesn't make one excused for the laws that the rest of society has to follow. I also find it damaging to use that as a defense, because it does nothing for inclusion and understanding of Asperger Syndrome. It paints us as a group of unstable, impulsive people who might at any minute do something immoral, or illegal if it is a part of our obsession. This is simply not true of all of us. These stereotypes are harmful.
