An often-overlooked factor is parents killing disabled children, which I think is far more relevant than degree of support, is discrimination. Parents of disabled children are not immune to society’s attitudes about disability. It’s important to remember that most parents of disabled children probably had no more contact with disabled people than anyone else before their child was born. There is some evidence to indicate that those who have been discriminated against, in any way, tend to have lower rates of discrimination (although they, too, can be discriminatory). The fact that Chris Benoit was so successful may have meant that he was more likely to accept what society says is important for a good life, since apart from a disabled son he had all of that. Often you don’t realize something, isn’t necessary for happiness unless you’ve lived without it or known someone living without it (and if you’re too stuck on it being necessary for happiness, you won’t let yourself see that it isn’t).

It really depends on the doctor. There has been a big push over the last few years to test for FXS when a diagnosis of autism is found. This is because research has shown that there is a huge link between the two.

I think as time goes this will become a standard but there is still a lot of awareness needed. You have no idea how often we go to a specialist or a hospital and they tell me, “Fragile What?” These are supposed to be professionals and they have no clue what it is.

It’s very sad the widespread population is ignorant of FX since it is the #1 cause of genetic mental retardation & autism. The FX community has been trying for years to, at least, get all those diagnosed with autism to be tested for FX syndrome. Our greatest desire is to get everyone tested for FXS like PKU is tested at birth. There are more people with FXS and PKU and PKU testing is required. Granted, they say PKU is life threatening.

But FXS is forever life altering for the children, parents, siblings, and extended family. And the sooner FXS is found, the sooner early intervention can be started which in turns provides the child with a better outcome. I can only hope that the media can open more peoples eyes to fragile x syndrome.

I can’t believe his son’s condition was a sole impetus for the murders. Actually, I’m not sold on the assumption that Benoit committed all three murders, if any. There are too many suspicious circumstances circling around this situation. Given that the killings were spread out over three days, and involved several deliberate, likely premeditated actions, “roid rage” just doesn’t work. But it’s even harder to swallow that a husband and father could do all this in cold blood. I do believe, though, that Daniel’s murder may have been intended in “mercy,” since his mother was dead, and either Chris or another perpertrator knew that he would not be taken care of now.