Va. Tech shooter did not talk much as a child, relatives say

The Houston Chronicle ^ | 4/20/2007 | BO-MI LIM

[Ronzo]

April 20, 2007, 4:03AM

Va. Tech shooter did not talk much as a child, relatives say

By BO-MI LIM
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea — Cho Seung-Hui was a worry to his family because he did not speak much as a child, and after the family emigrated to the United States doctors thought he might be autistic, relatives in South Korea said Thursday.

Family members said there were even concerns the boy might be mute.

The South Korean student killed 32 people and himself at Virginia Tech on Monday, the deadliest school shooting in modern U.S. history.

Former classmates said as a schoolboy in the United States, Cho's speech problems and shyness made him a target for bullying and ridicule.

"From the beginning, he wouldn't answer me," Kim Yang-soon, Cho's great aunt, said in an interview with AP Television News on Thursday. "(He) didn't talk. Normally sons and mothers talk. There was none of that for them. He was very cold," she added

"When they went to the United States, they told them it was autism," said Kim, 85, adding that the family had constant worries about Cho.

Neither school officials, who have Cho's educational records, nor police who have his medical records, have mentioned such a diagnosis this week. Autistic individuals often have difficulty communicating, but the diagnosis would not necessarily explain his violence.

[Ronzo]

As you read this article all the way through, it is amazing the near unanimous sorrow and concern that the South Koreans feel. Contrast that to any given country in the Middle East, where they are claiming Cho as one of their own, and celebrating his violence.

I wish more countries were like South Korea, at least when it comes to an event like this.

[basil]

It must be very heart-breaking, as well as frustrating for a family to have a child such as this. My heart goes out to them. By the time he was 18, there was nothing the family could do to make him go for help.

[VeritatisSplendor]

And the Korean community here is collecting contributions for the families of the victims. Bless them. I can’t remember another ethnic group doing the same when one of theirs went bad.

Mrs VS

[lightman]

"When they went to the United States, they told them it was autism,"

This evil coming on the heels of the Don Imus controversy is going to roll back much of the public awareness and sympathy garnered in recent years for Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

These unfortunates do not deserved to be demonized until and unless they engage in criminal behavior.

[JNL]

Darn rights they have shown themselves to be a honorable and caring people.

[LdSentinal]

He didn't talk even to his sister?

He was 23 years old. He was graduating a year late with an English major.

What kind of job you can get with that? I think Cho didn't want to enter the work force after he graduated.

[DrGunsforHands]

You can write. Probably could have developed a cult-following within groups that read his type of writing.

[lightman]

I think Cho didn't want to enter the work force after he graduated.

Spot on...autistic people fear change. Now why he chose the ultimate change through self inflicted violent death is a secret he alone knows.

[LdSentinal]

Perhaps, but from his writings showcased so far (his writing assignments), I write better than Cho; and I was taught by NYC public schools.

[lightman]

Autistic Spectrum Disorder ping.

[VeritatisSplendor]

I don’t think autism was his primary problem - I have a son with Asperger’s and I’ve seen plenty of Asperger’s/autistic kids. None of them remind me of Cho. I know of one child with elective mutism. But she talks at home.

I’m going to guess something like early onset schizophrenia here, in childhood, maybe co-morbid with an autistic spectrum disorder.

I’ll even believe in possession. He looked eaten by rage, and I don’t mean that metaphorically.

Mrs VS

[Copernicus]

Apologies, this is nonsense. Einstein did not talk as a child either, he did not go out and shoot his classmates as a result.

Best regards,

[doc1019]

Didn’t talk much as a child, didn’t speak much as a middle aged person, don’t speak much as an older person (60) …. Haven’t killed anyone lately.

[CheyennePress]

South Korea may be the single most Christian country on earth at the moment. I’m not saying that this entirely explains the outpouring of support, but I have no real doubt that it’s part of it.

[jamaly]

BUMP FOR LATER

[wentali]

Autism!???? Another Disease/Excuse? If this trend continues there will be no human on earth who does not have a 'Disease'. So, who is considered healthy then.?

[goodnesswins]

I knew a fellow once who told me he never spoke until he was six - but, he was the youngest of 6 brothers and sisters....but, he never became a murderer

[berdie]

Absolutely..When I read about his “disturbing” writings, I had to read one. After all, there is so much to be disturbed about in everyday television, movies, books. I was compelled to see what made his assignments so outlandish.

Other than the fact that they were fairly juvenile..there was no surprise to me. If they had been well written..everyone would have been hailing the “new” Tarantino or Stephen King. And he would have been the “quirky” author.

His behavior seems to be consistent with autism. Leaving a loving home (assumption) to exist in a world he wasn’t equipped to deal with..other mental problems could have developed thru time. I truly believe the guy was psychotic..not evil. But I could be proven wrong.

[Frank_2001]

“So, who is considered healthy then.?’

Whoever owns stock in pharmaceutical companies;)

[Ptarmigan]

I am more proud of South Korea right now. They don’t dance in the street, like they do in the Middle East after 9/11.