Autistics dont show or know how to express emotions. My kind sweet son who would never hurt a soul, is autiatic bit without a mean bone in his body.. No stealing, excessive lying, scamming yelling....no traits if anrisocial.He ia living alone, working and yesterday came over to mow our lawn and tear up cardboard in 90 degree weather for recycling. He didnt want his Dad ro do it in the heat and we gave him a meal and a fewfbucks but he didnylt know about the $$. Autism is not a personality disorder which makes one mean and dangerous. It is a developmental disorder, even if the person is very smartand a socia skills disorder so they have to learn approproate behavior. My son is the nicest person I ever met. Do some autistics have behavior problems? Yes, because they dont understamd social norms. The worst cases (i knew one who couldnt speak) act out badly in frustration but are usually very sorry and can learn to calm down.My son.hadnt had a meltdown since age 8. He will be 25 amd is very peaceful. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) can and usually does get much better especially wirh good interventions. It is not a psychiatric disorder and often that doesnt work because they dont communicate well and it isnt a paychiatric problem although it can cause acting out.
Enter antisocial personaliry disorder, which Ted Bundy had, although most dont go so far as to kill. Abuse, stealing, constant lyiing, charming when it is in their interests, sometimes getting arrested for refusing to follow societal rules and worse come with a cluster B personality disorder, antisocialaborderline and narcicism. They know how to look animated. They copy normal people to benefit. They have NO empathy.
My son has more empathy than moas. His face may not show it always but he shows it with tears and his surddenly horrified tone of voice when he hears of a tragedy. He is very naive, thinks everyone will treat him well but the older he gets the more he gets life. This is common in autism. The norm even. Even that autistic boy who still cant talk much is a part time working adult now and barely acts out and smiles a lot. Aurism.is hopeful. And different in each child.
I am iffy about a therapist that cant tell one from the other. I saw a neuropsychologist for my son and got a detailed ten hour evaluation.that in his case turned his life around.
I suppse one could have both disorders.
There are now forensics experimental tests that identify antisocials from not. They wire the brain and show scenes to them such as people, even children, being blown up and then right after show .happy family pictures. If you are not antisocial your brain reacts violently to.the horrific tragic scenes. In an antisocial the brain, heart, blood pressure etc
all stay the same and equally calm in.every picture shown.
No empathy.
I saw this documentory on Investigative Discovery. Maybe it is on youtube. Its very explanatory and scary.
If your son is a danger ro tour family and society regardless of his diagnosis he needs to be in residential care to protect you and others. Do not let the school diagnose. Schools are horrible at diagnosing and spent as little and rush as fast as they can. I recommend a neuropsychologist, which is npt a neurologist. They test completely.
Good luck.