What concerns advocacy groups such as Autism Speaks, the Autism Society and the Autism Research Initiative is that linking autism with violence will once again stigmatize people with autism and turn back the clock on progress made so far.

"Please do not judge any individual with autism based on what is being said about a killer of innocent children and teachers," the Autism Society said in its statement.

Bell said he is concerned that linking autism to this crime could even endanger innocent people and that the community will begin to fear those with autism.

"We worked so hard to try (integrate them) into our communities, give them opportunities to be employees, to be able to live in our neighborhoods, and if people do jump to conclusions, we really risk taking significant steps backward for people in this population," he said.

In a statement, Autistic Global Initiative Director Valerie Paradiz said, "The autism community has long labored toward building understanding, awareness and trust within communities throughout the United States and the world.

"As adults with autism living productive, peaceful lives, we urge the media and professionals who participate in speculative interviews about the motives of the accused shooter to refrain from misleading comments about autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. ... (M)isinformation could easily trigger increased prejudice and misunderstanding."