Spotlight on Autism

2 of 2
Here is an excerpt of the exchange on autism during the debate:

McCain: She???ll be my partner. She understands reform. And, by the way, she also understands special-needs families. She understands that autism is on the rise, that we???ve got to find out what???s causing it, and we???ve got to reach out to these families, and help them, and give them the help they need as they raise these very special needs children.

Obama: I think it???s very commendable the work she???s done on behalf of special needs. I agree with that, John. I do want to just point out that autism, for example, or other special needs will require some additional funding, if we???re going to get serious in terms of research. That is something that every family that advocates on behalf of disabled children talk about. And if we have an across-the-board spending freeze, we???re not going to be able to do it.

So, based on the exchange between the 2 men, it seems that Obama has a better handle on the issue than McCain. The reason that autism was mentioned during the debate is because McCain is aware that this is an issue of growing importance in the U.S., as the number of children being diagnosed with this condition grows daily. What was surprising was that McCain mentioned Palin as understanding the condition but offered nothing to Americans to deal with the issue. Obama, on the other hand, did.

As ragtopdodge commented below, it seems presumptuous of McCain to present Palin's case as a mother of a child with Down Syndrome as somehow a case for advocacy for children with autism considering her track record. For example, although Palin did sign a law increasing special education funding in Alaska, ???she had no role whatsoever??? in its development, according to the bill???s author, Rep. Mike Hawker (R). Moreover, as governor, Palin vetoed $275,000 in Special Olympics Alaska funds.

As with pretty much every other issue of importance to Americans today, McCain has offered no concrete ideas for helping families with autism, other than presenting the running mate who has a blemished record at that. Obama at least showed that freezing programs across the board is not helpful to families struggling with helping family members with autism. It only stands to reason that Obama would be the better advocate for families with autism than McCain.

OK...I'm willing to eat my words...I must have been "out of the room".

"In her speech at the Republican National Convention yesterday, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin delivered a special message for families of kids with special needs: "I pledge to you that, if we're elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House."

Gee, Kristina, you really should pay attention to someone besides yourself. Here's a little update, you're not the only person on the planet with problems. SARAH PALIN knows about autism, BECAUSE HER SISTER HAS AN AUTISTIC CHILD. Oh, did you think ONLY DEMOCRATS have sick children? Why don't you try putting you hand in your own pocket for a change and keep it out of mine. You want everyone to shed crocidile tears for your kid, but pooh-pooh someone else's child's illness. DOWN SYNDROME parents don't know what you're going through? I know how blessed I am that my sons were born without devasting brain or physical handicaps and I don't know what your going through and frankly my dear, after reading your comments, I DON'T GIVE A DAMN.

Of course we can't "expect politicians to be expertts in every area". But, I would certainly hope someone who hopes to be President of the United States would know the difference. Other than being the mother of a child with Autisim, has Palin actually used special needs children as part of her platform. I've been following the campaign very closely, and I honestly can't remember the subject being brought up until McCain interjected it in the third debate.

Could it be that Senator McCain meant Governor Palin knows more than anyone else in Government? Certainly more than anyone else on either ticket about special needs children. Also, he has said he wouldn't allow his spending freze to affect areas than are vital areas of needs. I have heard him express these very same sentiments on the Imus show, who is also very involved in helping kids and their families with autism. I find it so curious that every good intention McCain displays or proposes is questioned with skepticism, yet Obama proposes anything and everything, and the press especially, are drooling over his every utterance. For once it would be nice to see even a shred of fair play and impartiality.

Thank you for this very informative (from a mother's perspective) article. I have never read an article like this that touched me so much.

I have twin boys with autism. They are 5 and have been in early intervention since 2 when after thier baby shots one slowley quit talking. His brother started to flap his hands and lined thing up. I am a big McCain Palin supporter. I do not expect the man to know about every developmental delay. I beleive him when he says he would like to help. My husband works weekdays and I work weekends to afford these services. I gave up a career in banking to drive my boys to appointments. We have insurance coverage which pays for part of this. I live in Washington state where insurance for these services is a luxury. Early intervention is paying off for my family. My boys are in an Autism program in Bellevue, have Occupational, Physical and Speech outside the regular kindergarten class they are in with an aid. No one I know has fought harder for thier kids than we have, you want to see inprovement...... fight for it. We are fighters just like McCain and I would be proud to stand with my boys by John McCain and Sarah Palin on any republican platform. Anita Trombley Monroe Washington

Although I am not a McCain supporter, and I have been very disappointed by his camp's tactics lately, I truly believe he has compassion.

My son was born with a birth defect, and we are very fortunate that he has done well and is not an autistic child. However, as a mom with a child who has needed some special considerations and we are not in any realm even close to what autistic or other special needs children require, I find it promising that we could have an advocate in a position such as the VP who really could make a difference. Given Palin's apparent track record, she may be just the person to take on the CDC and whoever else is involved to find out what really causes autism, whether there is a link to vaccines, and a cure or at least recovery therapy for same. As a parent concerned about vaccines based on my son's own experiences, I fear a nationalized healthcare pool that my eliminate my right to waive certain vaccines in my state, especially if there is a link that has continued to be denied. I value my rights to make healthcare decisions for my family and want those rights protected by people who understand the challenges parents of special kids face.

Sen. McCain said that he would support helping children with 'autism'. I really don't believe he meant autism or special needs.....He just got confused as he is doing more frequently now.....He just confused the autistic disease with a genetic disability, Downs Syndrome. I wouldn't think he would keep his word on anything, anyway. He has lied about so much that all his talking is sulfurous hot air.

I agree that we can not criticize McCain for not making the distinction betwix Down Syndrome and Autism . They can't get into specific details - that could take hours to talk about, they give you general information. I'm a father with a 3yr old daughter on the autsim spectrum, recently diagnosed - I thought there was just the color spectrum, now I'm learning about PDD & Autism spectrums. Something I did not know about and have to learn about now. Everyone does that with many situations in life. With Palin, why not think he pick her TO HELP families get information and help instead of thinking the negative side. Why is it always negative - why can't we think on the positive side of things. Take any topic and think about that once. Why are we sooo negative.

"East African Masai tribesmen do not greet each other with "How are you?" They say, "So how are the children?" Because if the children of the village are well and safe....then peace prevails in the community.