Brandon Pettit case: What is autism? | Forensic Files

lauren pettit recalls when she first noticed her brother was different what do you think you first noticed
um and being really stubborn and disobedient in a sense while in high school brandon pettit was diagnosed with
aspergers a developmental disorder which affected his ability to communicate and
at times read social cues now asperger's falls under autism spectrum disorder but what is autism
autism refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills repetitive behaviors
speech and non-verbal communications with asperger's i think it's really difficult for him to be aware of how
he's presenting himself and what he's saying and how he's saying things and how he's reacting to certain things or
not reacting and whether or not he's doing what people would consider the norm when his parents were murdered some
people found his reaction unusual how is he dealing with it in his normal manner which is you know
very emotionless when he's sad kind of just keeps it all in but brandon's lack of emotion was a red flag
to police who zeroed in on him after a neighbor said he was strange did brandon pettit's diagnosis make him
the prime suspect in his parents murder [Music]

While in high school, Brandon Pettit was diagnosed with Asperger’s, a developmental disorder affecting one's ability to communicate. It now falls under autism spectrum disorder.

(Editor's note: On October 19, 2022, Brandon Pettit's conviction was overturned after an appeals court found that his statements to police should not have been admitted at his trial. Prosecutors say they plan to retry the case.)

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Brief Summary

Brandon Pettit's Asperger's diagnosis complicates the investigation into his parents' murder due to his unusual emotional responses.

Key points

Brandon's Diagnosis and Its Impact. Brandon Pettit's diagnosis of Asperger's raises questions about his emotional responses.

Episode quotes

Brandon's lack of emotion was a red flag.

Discussing Brandon's reaction to his parents' murder.

1:05WatchJun 18, 2022

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