Alek Minassian Case Analysis | Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rejection Sensitivity, & Narcissism 

My granddaughter has ASD and she has an amazing tolerance to pain. She's 24 and very intelligent but has poor social skills with people her age. I've raised her from 4 years old. She is definitely my heart. I love her so much. On another note your so close to 800k, I'm positive you will get to 1 million very soon. Rock on Dr.G.❤😷😎

The fact that “beta male, chads, stacies, and black/redpill ” have entered common political parlance and isn’t just slang on shitty image boards is just insane to me. Wtf is this world were living in?

Thank you. I knew his father personally, we worked together. Intelligent than and kind man. I was deeply impacted not only by the pain of my fellow Torontonians who lost loved ones, but also by the father's pain. I kept trying to crack what happened with that boy, and you explained it so well!

Imagine being 94 and THIS is how you go out.

Dr. Grande, thank you for pointing out at the end of your presentation that a vulnerable narcissist can be one of the most dangerous kind because can they hold resentments for a long time and plot their revenge. Scary!

This is a really thoughtful video, as always. I did want to point out that people with ASD are capable of forming relationships and experiencing empathy -- we just do it differently to other people, and of course some of us are more capable than others. It's an unfortunate and extremely harmful stereotype that we flatly can't do these things, so just want to make sure people understand that.

I love that these guys belittle girls who only go for good looking guys, yet they themselves are only interested in attractive females. I’m guessing self awareness isn’t high on these forums

These are his victims: Anne Marie D'Amico, 30, Munir Najjar, 85, Andrea Bradden, 33, Sohe Chung, 22, Betty Forsyth, 94, Eddie Kang, 45, Renuka Amarasingha, 45, Geraldine Brady, 83, Ji Hun Kim, 22, Dorothy Sewell, 80. These are the people he killed. These are the lives he took. Please remember the victims. Don’t add to the killer’s fame.

Learned helplessness is a truly crippling and destructive condition that I wish more people were aware of.

Happened in my city, Toronto. It was a horrifying slaughter. Most of the dead were women. Officer Ken Lam was heroic.

It’s sad how people like Alex and Elliot blame other people for their pain but can’t see that they are problem. Great video Dr Grande. Hope you have a nice day!!

Dr. Grande, I am 35 years old but I still find your calm, measured pragmatism and compassion aspirational. I've also really enjoyed learning about the science of personality through your channel. Thank you

I am from North York. This day when it all happened was the first day with a nice weather. After long winter, all folks went to take a walk and enjoy some sun. Just to give you some context.

I'm glad that the defence was declined. Saying that people with autism have no feelings is very insulting and clearly not true.

I didn't know the depths of ASD until my son was diagnosed with it. It really is a complete spectrum! Always love your analysis Dr.Grande!

This was huge in Ontario. Thanks for covering it

There is a saying " Misery loves company." That's what I thought of when you said about someone wanting to share and spread their pain with others

Being from Toronto, this event hit me hard (truly no pun intended). Thank you for covering this topic, Dr. Grande. You’re always on point!

Very serious and sensitive topic but im not gonna lie, you calmly explaining Chads and Stacys was hilarious LOL. Christ, now the Incels have lore lmao

I live in Toronto close to where it happened. I remember that day, transit was brought to a halt for several days. His father on front page as he was escorted for questioning....so sad seeing a father in such a situation.

I’m concerned for the little black cactus again, he really seems to like that particular ledge. Maybe he should have his friend the sombrero cactus with him so he’s less likely do do anything drastic. I’m sure the sombrero cactus is a good friend and will gladly join him there. That’s my cacti analysis today, I’m not diagnosing any cacti just discussing what could be happening……🌵😁 This case is exceptionally tragic, hopefully people like this will seek help before acting out like this. His ideas of relationships which he shares with his community(beta males) are very misguided. Thx Dr, I’m off to Monaco on holiday tmr yay!

I live in Toronto, moved here, and I've actually met 3 people who went to school with him. They said he was smart, didn't really have many friends, and he'd wander the halls meowing to himself, but he didn't seem "off" other than being a weird kid.

My best friend missed him by two minutes. He worked at the Capital One building on the street he attacked and was just coming back from lunch.

This happened in my city, Dr. Grande. I remember when the news reported this horrific tragedy moments after it occurred. I know the intersection very well, and it is regularly busy with vehicles and pedestrians. So many lives shattered. The horror of this will never be forgotten.

Such an interesting story. I just have to say in my experience I have had Stacy & Chad friends whom suffer from rejection just like everyone else- life is just hard - ❤️ Dr G!!

wow Dr, i'm glad you covered this case. it happened really close to my home, and really shook the community. i think this is what made Canada aware of the dangerous side of the incel community. thank you for your analysis.

For those who might be interested, videos showing most of the Minassians' interrogation by Toronto police investigators is available on youtube (several channels, one also showing the integral version, more than 2 hours).

Ah, a fresh upload from Dr.G.T hat's my next half-hour sorted. This is one of those rare channels where you can confidently hit the like button before you watch the video. Always great work Dr.G!

The interview with Alek is crazy. He sounds like a 4chan thread come to life

You guys can have Stacey I want Staceys mom.. she’s got it going on.

This is definitely the best video in a long time! Finally some mental health content instead of celebrity stuff

I can finally die after hearing Dr. Grande say the words "Chads and Stacies" in that order

Thanks for the presentation. I worked at the block where he turned the van around to go south on Yonge Street. It was a nice summer's day during the lunch time hours when the crimes took place and I could easily have been one of the people walking on the sidewalk that day. Fortunately no one in the our office was involved. This the first time I have gotten a more complete story of what happened.

I look forward to your videos every day, Dr. Grande! Thank you for your hard work!

Thank you for analysing this case. It's fascinating to me as an autistic who, well, hasn't wanted to murder people. I can see how his autism was a factor in his personality and how he went about the crime, but there was a lot more to it than just that; the narcissism and entitlement and anger were at play, and the combination of those with autism made him decide to commit mass murder. One thing I'd clarify is the lack of empathy is specific either to him or to his narcissism; we aspies do have empathy, we can care about people, but we can't read how people feel (unless we can study and practise it, and do so a lot). So we can appear callous or uncaring, but it's because we don't know someone is in distress. For example if someone's crying, before we consciously learn that "crying means sad", we will ignore them, or be annoyed/overstimulated by the noise they're making. But if they said literally "I feel sad", we would care about them and might say "What's wrong? Can I help?". Or we might offer something that makes US happy assuming it will make them happy too, until we learn what makes them happy or what would fix the situation. We know how we would feel about different situations, so we can imagine ourselves in their shoes - although the problem there is people react to the same situation in different ways, so our response might be appropriate for ourselves, but not for them. I remember when I was little and my mother felt sad, I gathered up my toy trains (lol I was a stereotype) and dumped them in her lap, because toy trains made ME happy, and I was really confused when they didn't make HER happy. My advice is: ask! People love to talk about themselves and how they feel, or if they don't want to talk about it, they'll tell you so, or they'll lie and say they're fine. If they want to talk about their feelings they'll tell you, and then you can offer to help them. Ask what you can do to help, or what they'd like, or what might help them feel better, and if they can't think of anything, let them know they're welcome to talk to you, or to ask you for help if they do think of anything. Sometimes that's all they need, talking helps them. To summarise, I think it's the cognitive vs affective empathy that you sometimes talk about on the channel: we do have cognitive empathy, but we don't have affective empathy. Once we know how someone feels, we do care!

Dear Dr.Grande, When I'm gone in few years, whether by murder, cancer, or something else nefarious, I wish for you to tell my story first. Your evaluations are wonderful.

As a culture it seems worth having some conversations about how we view relationships, sex, and the autonomy of other people when we have this recurring, ballooning problem of murder due to romantic rejection. It feels like Incels are more or less angry that women can choose their own partners, rather than being chosen and traded by men. There is a lot of validation for mindless selfishness in our culture, and it's going to impact and end a lot more lives before we're forced to improve our attitudes.

Yet another fantastic analysis. I thoroughly enjoy your videos, Dr. Grande. 💯👌🇨🇦

It's such a shame that Alek came across INCELS rather than an ASD community. ASD is characterised by affective empathy, not a lack of empathy. Over sensory disorder. *Edit. Spelling correction. Thanks _-_ P P🐞

Good morning Dr Grande. Great analysis. I've never heard of these people. Your analysis give me more knowable information for this disorder. Thank you so much Dr Grande

“The child not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.”

Is Alek Minassian the _incel revolutionist guy_ ? I kinda get some vibes of Elliot Roger. I like it how Dr. Grande deals very calmly with such confused people without getting insane himself and I appreciate that you said that there are also female incels. Not everyone knows that fact. My biggest respect for you, Dr. Grande❣♥

Elliot and Alex were in communication prior to 2014. They have an online history together and in part because of this, it furthered his desire for an "uprising" to begin

One of the best channels on youtube!

My son has ASD and he’s a great kid. He has friends from school but also shy. Now he’s older I am contemplating going to counselor to help him with the transition to adulthood.

👍 the more I watch Dr Grande's videos the more I believe he really knows everything.

Also, please please do an analysis of Ayn Rand

Incredibly sad case for all the victims involved, and very unfortunate there's online sites out there that fuel this kind of behaviour! Such a great episode, Dr. Grande! You sure look deeply at things from evey angle!

I've been hoping for this video for a long time! You never disappoint. I also think it would be really interesting to hear you talk specifically about his interrogation... why he confessed/interesting things he said, if you want to branch out

Thank you Dr.Grande for another fascinating subject......Very much appreciated.

How can you be "rejected" if you never talk to women? Well except that one time...

Dear Dr. Grande, Thank you for another wonderful video. I was hoping that you’d do a video on excited delirium? ~Rebeccah

he had a messed up view of the world. internet can be harmful for people who don't have social intelligence to filter bs.

Very insightful lesson at the end from a very wise man. ☺Thank you for your analysis Dr Grande! 💖💖

I was recently diagnosed with ASD and I’ve never kissed a girl at 24. Despite getting a lot of chances with women, I turn them down because I don’t think they’ll like me. Fortunately it’s not that bad and I’ve found ways to work around it. It sucks for guys who have these types of disorders because it really makes socializing a lot harder than it needs to be.

Bullying rejection and insecurity has existed since the beginning of time. I’m wondering if you have any thoughts about why we’re seeing people lash out and violent and deadly ways. The world has changed so much and some of that really for the worse. I’d love your comments about this or from anybody watching. Thanks again for your great insights.

"Vulnerable narcissist" describes him so well. We need to educate our teachers to be psychologists, or at least work with the psychologists, while these people are still kids and impressionable.

Good analysis Dr. Grande. I get offended when they try to use ASD as a defence. ASD people have it hard and stigma already. My 27 yr old son has ASD he learnt to be caring and loving. He is a proactive person and gained full-time work. Sounds like that incel community had some sick people in it.

Imagine going through the Great Depression World War II and then being took out by turd like that.

Im having a horrible week, but getting to hear dr. Grande talk about Chad and Stacey's made it a little better.

An inferiority complex is a superiority complex turned in on itself. The "incel" community illustrates this perfectly.

I was having a very bad day until now! I had two videos in a row from Dr Grande and then saw the link to his store! And saw the alien lizard humanoid tshirts that made my day 😀😀 thinking seriously to order one! 🍀

Many of these sites ask guys to send in pictures and then rip the guys down, telling them that no girl will want them. the way they carry on and keep after them is very much like a cult . When you are young and have issues with self confidence, this is very toxic. They have a way of mocking what the individual sees as attractive and drum in a group think for what a man should want in a woman. It´s a pretty sick scene.

Thank you Dr Grande. I found your analysis very informative.

Such a sad case may the 10 victims Rest In Peace.

Daaam!! This was a good educational one here!! Alotta lessons to learn from this!!!

I’m a speech-language pathologist. As soon as you said that his parents were computer geeks, I knew you were going to say that he had ASD. I have worked on both space coasts (Houston and near Cape Canaveral, Florida). Those engineer couples make ASD super common in both places, since ASD has a much stronger genetic component than people realize. Kids with ASD make up over half of an SLP’s caseload in high-tech places.

Outstanding analysis Dr. Grande.❤️ Now moving over to your podcast 🎧🎤🎬

Very informative and interesting analysis, Dr. G. I hadn't heard of this case before, how tragic! If only young men such as Minassian and Roger knew and understood that most women (especially mature adult women) don't care about looks too much but rather how a man treats us. My son is diagnosed ASD so this is kinda close to home for me. I have nightmares that my little boy will be misunderstood and not liked 🥺. I try to instill so much confidence in him and expose him to extra curricular activities and so far he has formed a good social circle of friends. Nevertheless, thinking about his future into young adulthood keeps me up at night and ages me. Anyway, thank you for your insight, Dr. Grande, love you and love your content 🥰😚🤗.

To enjoy notoriety, one must stay alive... Dr.Grande.. Truest shit ever

Abso fabu! Thanks as always ~ Amy xo

I'm from Toronto ON Canada when this happened. The whole city was terrified and in chaos when this terrible tragedy happened.

I wish Dr Grande would talk more about autism from a scientific perspective because there's so much misinformation and speculation about this mental disorder

You read my mind, Dr. G! Yesterday I ran to see if you had a video on this case after I watched another RU-vid video.

I was hoping for this one.

Eileen UK. I don’t understand much about ASD watching your video and your great 👍 analysis makes me understand a little bit more and I thank you 🙏 for that. My heart goes out to all those people killed and hurt in all of this so tragic 🙏🙏🙏🙏. Thank you 🙏 DR Grande for another brilliant video. Love the shirt 💙

Some of the cruelest people I've ever personally encountered are vulnerable narcissists. Cruel and vindictive to the bitter end.

There is a lot of toxic ideologies and groups out there, Dr.Grande. The internet makes it very easy to access and spread them.

really sorry for the victims. The cop was amazing, if this were in the US they would have shot first, but here the cop showed a lot of good judgment.

Just leaving the fact down here that ASD in and of itself does not result in an absence of empathy, only low outward empathy.

That makes no sense that he had no empathy because of autism. My son has it and is very empathetic. He feeds stray cats. When he was a toddler he saw a baby crying and ran up very sad and said "don't cry baby, don't cry." That's ridiculous to say that it causes them to not have empathy

I hate that his defense teams tried to throw all of us under the bus by claiming his attack was because of his ASD. I'm glad the courts had the sense to reject that argument.

I respectfully disagree with Dr. Grande’s views that this young man tried hard to commit suicide. I don’t think he tried very hard at all to commit suicide. What he did try hard to do was murder, and he accomplished it!

Great story telling Doc. You area gooder at this.

What the heck??? I must be one of your favorite subscriber's because I keep getting notifications for your newest content immediately! 🤭 (Am I making this ALL about me? 🤔) Do I need therapy? 😜

I love every video of yours Dr Todd Grande.

As someone with ASD, if you’re reading this and also have this condition, I understand your pain: -I understand the frustration, depression, and rage that comes with being forced to exist in a world that our minds seem to be incapable with on an existential level. -I understand the mental claustrophobia, feeling like you’re a prisoner in your own mind. -I understand the confusion and hurt and hopelessness we often feel when we try and fail to fit in. -I understand what it’s like to feel like you’re in the middle of a giant stage play that everyone has the script for, except you. -I understand what it feels like to just want to be loved by someone, anyone, yet remaining alone. -I understand the misery of seeing happy people all around you, laughing, bonding, and living life at a level that seems off limits to the likes of us. -I understand the embarrassment and shame that comes from being hypersensitive to stimuli that most wouldn’t even notice unless pointed out to them. -I understand the feeling of not being in control of your own fate, feeling like you’re doomed to eternal frustration, anger, loneliness, and mediocrity. I have good news and bad news for you. The bad news is our condition will never fully go away. It’s not a disease, it’s just part of who we are. No, you cannot free yourself from your own mind. It’s just not possible. Our best course of action is to accept this and make peace with it, and turn our focus to what we can actually control. The good news is that it’s entirely possible to make life more bearable, even enjoyable for people like us. Yes, it’s difficult, but it’s possible. Swallow that shame and embarrassment and get out there. Interact with as many people as possible in whatever setting and at every available opportunity. The more you do this, the more you’ll naturally train yourself to socialize properly, and it will cut down on your loneliness. You may not get as many friends as others, but the ones you do find will be of high quality and will truly care about you. Take care of yourself. Do the little things. Jew your house clean. Maintain good hygiene and grooming habits. Take out the trash. Mow your lawn. Walk with good posture. Smile even when you don’t feel too happy. These things may seem pointless to us in the moment, but they’re crucial for building and maintaining a sane mind. I don’t know why it works, but it just works, so do it. Take pride in your accomplishments. Don’t sell yourself short. You cannot be perfect, no matter how much you want to be. You must accept this, or you will never be happy or satisfied in life. Allow yourself to receive praise and compliments, and do not take criticism personally, learn from it. Do not bemoan your fate. Find a way to turn your dealt hand into a strength, an opportunity. Channel that rage and desire to succeed into something productive. You may find that your ASD can be a superpower when wielded correctly. Train to remind yourself that most of the world doesn’t think like we do. We see things differently, hear things differently, speak words differently. And that’s okay. We don’t have to be an “other”, we’re just another piece of the diversity that is mankind. There is hope. You’re not worthless. You’re not broken. You’re not beyond help. You can do it. We can do it. Just take that first step towards a better life, and always get back up when you fall. Never give up. You’ll be in a better place before you know it. But the most important thing is this, it’s all on you. YOU have to do it. YOU have to take that first step. Good luck, I wish the best for all of you. Truly.

I was 50 feet away from this guy when he took off. He said he didn't want to start off up the street cause it was empty. He was right. It was just little old me. He kicked up at Yonge and finch cause the number of people were much higher that day. I had my headphones blasting music the whole time. I was scared to blast music for a whilediwn Yonge Street. Now I plug into my headphones and continue my journey of life. 😊 Thanks dr. Grande you're awesome

"Empathy is a necessary component to rational discussion-making" Is this true? Maybe. If you have no feelings for others perhaps hurting them just doesn't register? But to me, knowing something is wrong should still keep a person from doing the action even if they don't know why it's wrong.

FIRST CLASS as usual, thanks DOC

Listening to Dr.Grande speak of all these Chad's and Stacy's has me giggling so hard lol 😆

Dr. Grande, you should start making videos debunking anti-psychology/antipsychiatry myths!

I listened to Minassian's police interrogation. Good thing he is locked up. He is dangerous with his view of the world.

havent watched in a while as i have been rather busy. like the new setup and background.

The Internet can really cloud your mind if you’re not careful. It wasn’t too long ago that I let myself wander into places like r/incels or those toxic MGTOW youtubers. Thankfully I pulled myself out of that mindset now.

Rock on Dr Grande!! Great video.

Good Evening Dr Grande, Good Evening one and all :)

I watched this case closely both as a Canadian but also as the parent of a profoundly autistic child. For obvious reasons, this is the one episode that I had difficulty finishing Doc.

I live in Toronto and I’m the mom of an autistic teen. I was so on edge during Minassian’s trial because of the stigma being promoted by his defence team. Autistic people are more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violence, and this idea that autistic people cannot feel empathy is a complete myth. I am repeatedly dismayed by how autism is linked with mass murderers. It makes life so much more challenging for people like my son.

Doctor, I’m a new subscriber....I’m loving your videos. I’ve been binge watching them since accidentally finding your channel. Do you have a website or email for subscribers that are in need of asking you for help discerning behaviors that may be problematic??