AUTISM

Spotlight on Autism

The mother of an autistic son reacts to John McCain's recent pledge to help families like hers. Was it just rhetoric?

By Claudia Kalb | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Oct 20, 2008 | Updated: 9:24  a.m. ET Oct 20, 2008

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  • Posted By: smcl @ 10/31/2008 5:50:03 PM

    Most blogs here are really biased towards the democratic ticket. I am a conservative special education teacer who is thrilled that Palin committed her ticket to full federal funding of IDEA. This is great news for all families with children with disabilities. I am very proud of this republican ticket for committing Federal funds to help educate children with disabilities. It was the most sincere presentation I have ever heard. Those of you who are putting Palin down because she is a republican may be shooting yourself in the foot. Look again, look closely. She is smart, deep and a huge crusader for your children. We haven't seen anything like this since the Kennedy's took office and helped our kds with disabilities. This issue is very important. Too important to give it over to politics. Full federal funding of IDEa is a dream come true. smcl

  • Posted By: Concerned Canadian @ 10/30/2008 12:45:56 PM

    Well..it???s proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Barack Hussein Obama can't be trusted with the economy.

    Well..its proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Barack Hussein Obama is naive with foreign policy.

    Well..it???s proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Barack Hussein Obama is a Muslim.

    Well..it???s proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Barack Hussein Obama doesn't live in "Mr. Rogers"
    neighbourhood.

    Well..it???s proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Barack Hussein Obama bought the media networks.

    Well..it???s proven beyond a reasonable doubt that African Americans are voting for Obama only because he's Black.

    Well..it???s proven beyond a reasonable doubt Barack Hussein Obama cannot pay for his 1,000 promises without raising everybody's taxes!

    Well..its proven beyond a reasonable doubt Barack Hussein Obama has ACORN trying to steal the election for him!

    Well..its proven beyond a reasonable doubt Barack Hussein Obama is no Martin Luther King.

    Well..its proven beyond a reasonable doubt Barack Hussein Obama believes in Marxism.

    Well..its proven beyond a reasonable doubt Barack Hussein Obama says a lot but says nothing!

    Well..its proven beyond a reasonable doubt Barack Hussein Obama is sympathetic with terrorists!

    Well..its proven beyond a reasonable doubt Barack Hussein Obama only spoke the truth with "Joe The Plumber???

    On Tuesday...Nov 4....I'm getting my popcorn ready and watch how many dumb Americans vote Obama.

  • Posted By: Catriona @ 10/30/2008 11:28:09 AM

    Thanks for the great answers given here. When McCain and Palin talk about cutting entltlements, they are talking about cutting services to people with disabilities through Medicare and Medicaid. You cannot profess to support people with disabilities while cutting the funding for family support services for families raising children with disabilities and cutting funding for home and community based services that allow people with disabilities to live, work, and fully participate in their communities.

  • Posted By: krohn2 @ 10/22/2008 4:44:58 PM

    FactCheck.Org is owned by the Annenberg group of Chicago! Talk about a conflict of interest! And Obama has been telling people on the trail to check out the site to verify his opponents claims. Funny, every time that he endorsed something, it turns out to be a part of his spin machine! Like he raised objections in the primaries when Indiana required photo I.D. to vote. He Protested that It took away people's right to vote! I
    knew then and there that he was up to no good! America, wake up from the MASS HYPNOSIS!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWTs1YyhFRg&feature=related

    • Posted By: eirual @ 10/30/2008 2:33:11 AM

      According to JohnMcCain.com, Lenore Annenberg, the current chairwoman and president of Annenberg Foundation, is also the Chief of Protocol for Former US for McCain-Palin. If John McCain has no problem taking accepting her money and support notwithstanding the reporting being done on her foundation's FactCheck.Org and isn't bothered by her affiliation with Obama and Ayers, then neither am I. So, the conflict of interest that you are talking about doesn't really exist: It's all just status quo.

    • Posted By: rjgwood @ 10/22/2008 7:05:16 PM

      Annenberg is a REPUBLICAN, he was appointed ambassador by Ronald Reagan! Jeesh!

  • Posted By: Qidisrupt @ 10/29/2008 1:13:19 AM

    McCain has played the pity card to fish for emotional reaction votes. There are millions of Barack Obama supporters who I am sure deal with the same isuues of genetic mutations in human beings. Honestly, there is not much McCain or anyone can do more than another about any kinds of birth defects. It is not a Republican or Democrat issue...it is a human issue. To try and make this a political stance to gain votes is inhumane. I am a Democrat, and I have a nephew that struggles with autism. Because someone has family members with genetic disorders, does not certify them to have the correct answer for these things...whether on the Republican or Democrat side. Hasn't anyone done any critical thinking before posting a comment? Palin has no more "knowledge" about autism than I do. Remember, I have a nephew with autism, but that does not make me an expert on the subject...and I support Senator Obama's economic and healthcare plans so all Americans will be able to afford help for all kinds of disorders.

  • Posted By: paproudmom @ 10/28/2008 2:00:00 PM

    I am not sure why people where puzzled about Mccain's comments on Palin's knowledge of autism. Palin's sister has a child with autism.

  • Posted By: seedaybreak @ 10/27/2008 4:11:57 PM

    DisciplineIsFreedom: Many have commented on the actual article and echoed your sentiments, but that was days ago and their posts are early on in the "discussion". Now the comments have just become, for the most part, a place for the bloggers to post their opinions on any part of the presidential campaign that they wish. For the record, I concur with your opening paragraph and will vote Obama/Biden as the smartest and best choice...

    • Posted By: seedaybreak @ 10/27/2008 4:33:52 PM

      And I note that all of loriw's posts have disappeared from these comments. Perhaps she/he got too abusive because truly, some of what was said was bordering on intolerance for the views of others. I had directed some of my previous comments to this person in an attempt to "temper" her/his tone. I appreciate the fact that we live in a country where we can choose our leaders and express differing viewpoints about them, but no one has the right to be abusive and slanderous with their comments. Sadly, some candidates do not have such restraints...

  • Posted By: DisciplineIsFreedom @ 10/27/2008 2:05:49 PM

    Is there no one commenting on this actual article? I think there is an important issue here. Palin talks up the idea of her concern about special needs children, then leaves hers to go back to work only days after giving birth? Does this hypocrisy go completely unnoticed? Palin has staff taking care of her children, including Trig, at the tax payers' expense, yet she understands the challenges of the average parent of a special needs child?

    On top of all that, she wants to make it harder for expecting mothers to learn of genetic problems that might cause them to choose abortion, leading to an increase in the number of children born with special needs, a group of souls that might otherwise incarnate in healthy bodies. Whether you are a religious person or not, certainly you must agree that truly caring about decreasing suffering does not suggest we should make it harder for parents who aren't going to have "nanny interns" and $150k wardrobes provided by the political infrastructure to make the practical choices they need to about family planning. Palin is supposedly pro far too many things, things that preclude one another. She is completely false.

  • Posted By: hab223 @ 10/23/2008 3:16:05 PM

    I can tell you I was offended when McCain mentioned autism because it was clear that he was lumping all special need children under the same unbrella. I have a son with autism and I teach special need high school (16+) and adult students. They were very disappointed when they went to McCain's site and could find no information on his stance on disabilities. As you would guess, those who can vote are all are voting for Obama.

    • Posted By: baybluv @ 10/23/2008 4:23:43 PM

      I agree, this man will say anything to get votes. Is it not the Republicans that are saying they don't want any more social programs and that Obama is a Socialist for wanting to create programs that will help people. Wasn't it Ms. Palin that said community workers work isn't important. Wake up -- these people will not help you or your children.

  • Posted By: BillieLopez @ 10/23/2008 4:16:00 PM

    As a mother of a special needs adult, your darn tootin' McCain was panderin'. Doggone it. Obviously he doesn't know the difference between Autism and Down's. There are other disabilities besides those 2; any number of combinations of mental and physical. Saying Ms Palin knows more about being the mother of special needs child better than anyone is tripe. She has an infant. Talk to me in 5 years. Hopefully her baby won't need any major surgeries. Of course, she's rich and has poitical connections so she doesn't have to worry about rehab and finding a school. And fighting with the school system for services mandated by law. It gets worse when they're adults. Not enough workshops, residental communities only the well to do can afford, care if the parent gets sick or dies, finding a doctor who will take medicaid. Don't tell me you'll be an advocate but don't say how. Talks cheap. Ms. Palin could start by giving back funds to the Special Olympics in her state. My daughter and her team look forward to the state finals in Indiana every year. What a blast.

  • Posted By: tracyruns262@netscape.net @ 10/21/2008 4:47:14 PM

    The woman intervied SHOULD BE HAPPY that anyone else CARES....

    • Posted By: TruthForward @ 10/23/2008 11:28:51 AM

      Yes, I'm sure she is happy that anyone seems to care.

      However, these kids have real needs for services. If they are afforded help early, then they can be a little more independent in the future. It's all very complicated.

  • Posted By: ICareaboutAutism @ 10/21/2008 5:09:57 PM

    Why is it that Obama wants to create "programs" to help children with autism. I am the mother of a precious 7 year old son with severe autism. I work full time because i have to figure out a way to pay for his therapies out of my pocket because in some sadistic way our insurance policy (because it is sefl funded) does not have to follow the mandates of my great state of Texas. Parents and advocates have fought hard in Texas to require Insurance companies to pay for treatments for autism whether it be speech, OT, ABA. But because my policy is considered "self funded" they do NOT have to follow state mandates. There is a simple solution....require ALL insurance policies to follow ALL state mandates!! The really sad thing is, these govt programs are all designed for the "lower middle" class. While i don't make anything close to the 250K (which is considered to be wealthy??) i still make too much $$ to qualify for govt programs. SAD!! I guess i should quite my job and live off the system.......that's a quick way to get on universal health care---just go on medicaid!! Have any of you gone to the Autism Society of American website....read the position papers from each candidate....take a good look and see which candidate knows the true facts and figures on Autism.....

    • Posted By: TruthForward @ 10/23/2008 11:23:49 AM

      The schools is suppose to give you child his therapies, through "related services." But good luck on getting the schools to follow the law on educating special needs children. You need a lawyer who is not a wimp to the school system. The law is the "Individual's with Disabilities Educational Act" "IDEA". The appropriate education is "Lovaas," ABA, discrete trial method. www.lovaas.org . Schools can fund it using medicaid or a federal Autism waiver.

  • Posted By: FormerOHRepub @ 10/23/2008 12:57:11 AM

    As the sister of a 44 year old man with Autism (and after having lived with Autism first hand in a world where it was seldom yet heard of or and little was known), I too was a bit insulted by McCain's comments! If McCain was refering to Palin's nephew (as suggested here in one of the posts), he might have explained that Palin has Autism in her family, without going into specifics, just to clear up the confusion. But regarding her own child, I see little comparison between Downs and Autism and dealing with their needs! Also, Palin's child is still so young, she herself hasn't even begin to realize what all her son's needs are or will be! (At least her son was fortunate enough to be born into a family with the means to always see he is well cared for!) But in all honestly, when I heard McCain's speech, I did feel "pandered to", and possible "cuts" by a McCain administration, that would realistically almost have to affect some people with disabilities, conserns me greatly! It also really bothers me that McCain is so intent on spending millions to keep the war on-going indefinitely in Iraq, while putting his "hatchet" to programs here at home!

  • Posted By: Nins @ 10/22/2008 10:45:33 PM

    Palin's Promise: every special need baby in America will get a $100 onesie, like the one Trig wore on stage at the Republican National Convention.

    Moms of special needs children, here's what you do! Hand off your infant to your teenaged daughter, and pursue your own selfish ends. Make sure you smile whenever there's a camera!

  • Posted By: Nins @ 10/22/2008 10:42:43 PM

    It turns out that RNC has spent $150,000 on clothes for Sarah Palin. They also spent $100 for a romper and hat for little Trig, which he wore on stage at the GOP convention.

    A hundred dollar onesie? (And these people are saying that Obama would be a profligate spender.)

    Did you know that the outfit Cindy McCain wore when she appeared at the convention cost $330,000?

    The RNC says that later Sarah's clothes will be donated to charity. OK, so some homeless person will get to wear this stuff on the streets of New Orleans. (Maybe this is the RNC's version of "trickle down spending.") But wouldn't the homeless be better served by $150,000 donation to a shelter or a food bank than by designer clothing?

    Fifteen years ago, McCain wrote an amendment to tighten the law on using campaign funds for personal items like clothing and stylists. In May of 1993, McCain said this on the Senate floor "The use of campaign funds for items which most Americans would consider to be strictly personal reasons, in my view, erodes public confidence and erodes it significantly."

    I guess he forgot what his prior position was. Again.

    Just like he forgot that he used to be pro-Choice and pro-gay marriage and pro-immigration reform. He also forgot that he used to be afiliated with ACORN, and with G. Gordon Liddy. If he is lying to cover up what his prior positions have been, shame on him. If he really can't remember, maybe the detractors who claim his mind is aging are correct.

    One last thought: is the GOP paying for Bristol Palin's maternity wear?

  • Posted By: lil from GA @ 10/22/2008 9:36:05 PM

    To dave55555 who said "I have to wonder about people like you who would use your child's disability for cheap political points." Well what Mc.Cain and Palin are doing is precisely that- what is cheaper that McCain saying that because she has a disabled baby se is able to help families with disabilities, like if that made sense!

  • Posted By: TigerX @ 10/21/2008 10:28:38 PM

    What does hitler 1936/obama 2008 have in common.Now what does pre-nazi muslims/obama 2008 religious agenda follow.Think on that and be sure to vote for obama.I am sure obama will keep our constitutional rights safe while our country becomes another muslin controlled country.

    • Posted By: francesk @ 10/22/2008 9:17:38 PM

      our country becomes another muslin controlled country.

      we're gonna be controlled by cotton??

    • Posted By: francesk @ 10/22/2008 9:17:03 PM

      our country becomes another muslin controlled country.

      we're gonna be controlled by cotton????

  • Posted By: Mwalimu @ 10/22/2008 7:16:39 PM

    I hope all parents of children with special needs wake up fast. McCain favors massive budget cuts. He pledged a hatchet than a scapel. Given the choice between keeping a tax cut for his wealthy pals and providing for special needs children - who gets priority. Sarah Palin, I might point, out has a nice cushy health care plan at her disposal. Just as she can get money to provide air fare for her children, she can also manage to get money to care for her special needs child. Very few parents have that sort of access.
    I'd also urge parents to read the three part series on health care run by the Los Angeles Times. McCain advocates a market approach for heatlh insurance, giving people money so they can buy their own health plans. Yet almost all health insurance companies regard children with "special needs" as "clinical train wrecks." Therefore, getting an insurance company to accept a child with "special needs" is likely to be very difficult if not impossible.
    Obama and his Democratic allies are far more willing to provide the funding needed for children with special needs. Although I do not have any children myself, that's one reason I will vote for Obama.

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