Last Night's Autism Debate -- Who Will Win the Special Needs Vote?

The media may be transfixed on "Joe the Plumber" today, but the real winner of last night's debate was autism.

I cannot recall a single disorder ever becoming so prominent in a national election as autism has been in 2008: Not cancer, not AIDS, not heart disease.

Autism was raised on the campaign trail (when Obama, McCain and Hillary Clinton all said it was increasing, and the potential vaccine connection must be researched), it was raised at both conventions, it was raised duing a FOX News interview with McCain and Sarah Palin, and it certainly came up last night at Hofstra University.

Tellingly, autism was brought up, unprompted and somewhat unexpectedly, by one of the candidates: John McCain, who was answering a question about why Sarah Palin would be qualified to step up to the Oval Office, should something terrible happen to him:

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.

"Autism is on the rise, and we've got to find out what's causing it." To most parents of affected children, that was more than music to their ears -- it was a symphony. If autism is on the rise, then its cause is more than genetic. Something has gone terribly wrong, and we need to find out what it is. Now.

McCain's autism remark did not come from nowhere (and he was not confusing autism with Down Syndrome, as many believed).

He brought up autism because it is ubiquitous -- and it never was before.

Autism in the United States today is, simply, everywhere -- even in Sarah Palin's family. Her sister has a son with the disorder.

McCain did not have to be asked about autism to speak about it. All over the country, parents have been reaching out to him and to Sarah Palin (and to the Democrats as well) -- behind the scenes and in public -- telling their stories, pleading for research, begging for help at home and in the classroom. As Senator McCain said:

Town hall meeting after town hall meeting, parents come with kids, children -- precious children who have autism. Sarah Palin knows about that better than most. And we'll find and we'll spend the money, research, to find the cause of autism. And we'll care for these young children. And all Americans will open their wallets and their hearts to do so.

Now, it is certainly debatable that Sarah Palin knows about autism "better than most," and Barack Obama wisely chose to steer clear of that rhetorical iceberg. Instead, he clobbered McCain, who had just publicly vowed to spend taxpayer money on autism research and care (unless he meant that our rapidly emptying American wallets are supposed to cover the whole thing):

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.

Ouch. Obama is right, of course. No one is going to cure autism (or anything) while a mandatory federal spending freeze is in place.

Reaction from autism parents that I know has been mixed, and quite pointed.

Mostly, people were thrilled to see autism placed front and center -- at last -- in the national political dialogue. (I do not recall autism ever coming up in the 2004 or 2000 race, though I could be wrong, and it was certainly never mentioned in elections before then).

There was this, from a father on Long Island:

Autism is now officially included among the major issues of the campaign and the day. The strategy of pushing each campaign to escalate the issue worked and played out in the debate. It reveals a respect that both campaigns have for the autism constituency. The ripple effects downstream in the political world will be interesting to watch. No politician will ignore or dismiss autism.

And this, from a mom in Wisconsin:

The ordinary viewer back home must be asking ...Why do we keep hearing about autism? Why does this disorder get mentioned in the presidential debate if it's nothing new? Especially, if doctors are just finally recognizing something that's always been around. More and more questions about autism are everywhere -.but no one has answers.

And a father in Oregon:

The CDC doesn't even acknowledge the number of autism cases is truly rising. Contrasting that to the way McCain talks is a story in of itself.

Skepticism, however, was keeping close company with appreciation last night. A mother in Manhattan wrote:

"Getting to the bottom of this" means being unafraid of asking tough questions. Are they prepared to DO this? They cannot work on what is causing autism without talking about vaccines, or else we continue to run in place. The government MUST support independent vaccine research now. No more millions down the drain for studies on genetics. That money would be so much better spent supporting autism families in crisis

And this from a mom in New Jersey:

These politicians just woke up and realized that half the country is affected by autism and they better say something? Call the World Wrestling Foundation and get the choreographer on the phone, he may be the only one who can explain this latest development.

Some people thought the Republican team would be better suited to tackle autism head on, like this Democratic dad from Massachusetts:

I'll probably vote for Obama, but I think McCain is the better autism candidate. Why?
He asked for our vote and he promised to get to the bottom of the epidemic. He seems to get it. Obama lumps autism in with the general category of developmental disability, rather than focusing a targeted effort to solve the autism problem and make it disappear. But the issue came up multiple times in a presidential debate, for God's sake!! McCain put the issue on the table and said all the right things -Obama steered away from it and has dodged the issue every time it's been raised. If I were a single issue voter, the choice would be pretty clear.

But a mother from Long Island begged to differ:

They bring up issues when they don't have anything else to say. Palin has VERY little expertise. That fact that her family is in the special needs community is all I have heard. I haven't heard any detailed stories or facts from her or McCain. I haven't seen any proof that she knows crap about autism other than 'I know autism'. Oh, Ok, I'm just supposed to trust that.

There has been quite a bit of debate over Palin's record on special needs children in Alaska. Early reports erroneously stated that she had cut special education funding (she hadn't, the money was moved to another line in the budget).

But skepticism abounds. For example, this attorney (also a Democrat) from Connecticut, who works with special needs children, recently posted the following on her blog:

Gov. Palin's views on this are far outdated. I have traveled to Alaska to give a speech to parents and professionals on the subject of the rights of children with special needs. I was stunned by how far behind the State was from the vast majority of the rest of the country on the education of children with disabilities... I am in regular contact with a colleague of mine who is a Parents' attorney in Alaska, who has had to fight tooth and nail for children with special needs in Alaska simply to secure them the most basic of services that we take for granted here. I for one do not want the rest of the country to use Alaska's system of educating our most vulnerable children as a paradigm.

I also know of autism parents who are suing the Palin administration to get services for their children. But Palin's record is more complex than that.

In fact, in this year's budget, Governor Palin authorized a major increase in funds for "intensive needs" children, (the official Alaska term). When she came to office in 2006, according to the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska was spending just $27,000 a year per child. This year, the budget she signed increased that amount to $49,000, and in three years it will reach $74,000. (So much for spending freezes, but them again, unlike the US, Alaska is awash in cash).

The subject of "intensive needs" and autism came up in another debate as well, back when Palin was running for Governor. And it shed some light on both her ideological, as well as personal motivations. As the Anchorage Daily News reported:

Palin said she wanted to diminish the oppressive hand of government while still providing needed help. Services, the Republican candidate said, shouldn't be dictated by government; ideas should come from the bottom up. Topping her list of social and health priorities: housing, a trained work force and containing costs. She glanced at sheets of notes as she spoke. She also talked about her young nephew, who has autism, describing him as a "red-headed angel."

Most autism parents I know, including Republicans, believe that autism services should most certainly be "dictated" by government, (though they might use a more moderate word, like "mandated," or "required.") So, that statement is sure to cause a certain amount of consternation among "autism voters," if there is such a thing.

Then again, the ADN article included another quote from Palin that might raise some eyebrows among all voters.

During a gubernatorial debate in Wasilla, her hometown in the heart of the Mat-Su Valley, she had this to say:

You will have an advocate down there in Juneau, of course. Certainly people will assume that I am biased toward the Valley in the decisions I make. So be it, because I will be.

Now, some voters might interpret this to mean that Sarah Palin's decisions in Washington -- should she get there -- would be equally biased toward Alaska.

But I know a lot of parents who would be perfectly happy to see a little bias towards autism, as well.

Read more reactions to the Obama-McCain Presidential Debate from HuffPost bloggers

Comments

[slwkf]

I have Asperger's Syndrome (a high functioning form of Autism) as wells as the father of a child with severe Cerebral Palsy and chronic lung disease, and I'm voting Obama/Biden.

[Fearsome4some]

During the primaries my husband and I reviewed all of the candidates' websites for information regarding children with special needs. We have two beautiful children with special needs, one with cerebral palsy and one with autism. Barack Obama had by far the most easily accessible, detailed and comprehensive plan for all children with special needs. We read and liked Hillary Clinton's plan as well, although hers was a little more difficult to find. By this point John McCain was the presumptive Republican nominee and I checked his website for information. If he had a plan, he hid it well because nothing I did uncovered the least bit of information. I finally tried a google search for anything on the internet that contained both the terms "McCain" and "special needs" to no avail. I couldn't believe that McCain had the gall to promise to cure autism in the debate last night. He didn't care about my children until he figured out a way to make them a political talking point. Talk about pandering.

BTW: I checked his website again, and McCain has a very small entry regarding autism. I guess my child with cerebral palsy still is beneath his notice.

[sheisme]

All children are special needs children. Obama is the only candidate whose programs, goals and concerns would improve the lives of all children ... yours, mine and ours.

[sgrl]

Would the media, McCain, and everyone stop referring to them as "special needs children?" The correct term is children with special needs. You see, the CHILD should come first...no­t the label or disability. Even Palin, a parent of a child with special needs doesn't get it right. I believe she even said it wrong in her debate. How can she be an advocate if she doesn't get it right? It may be subtle, but it matters. Spread the word, please.

[stayinsouth1981]

People first.

[TheAlchemist]

The way we use language shapes the way we think.

[garyloewenthal]

To the extent that autism and many other diseases on the rise may have an environmental component, the clear choice would be the Democrats. Republicans as a group are resistant to any pollution-reduction regulation. Not that the Dems have a stellar record - they're influenced by polluting industry lobbyists, also. But they certainly seem more willing to challenge big polluters.

I feel I have to bring up the evironment and pollution because so many diseases (e.g., asthma) in so many species are rising; plus we have scary developments likes MRSA, which may be caused in part by the widespread use of sub-theraputic doses of antibiotics in factory farms. So one has to look at general environnmental degradation and consider each party's overall environmental record. (The Greens by far have the best platform here...but back to reality.) Palin in particular seems to have contempt for the environment, except to the extent that it can provide plenty of wolves, bears, and moose for her to kill.

[Norge]

"To the extent that autism and many other diseases"

Autism is Not a disease. Measles, malaria,polio, tetnus, bird flue and eboa are diseases and can be fatal. Autism is not a disease or fatal and cannot be transmitted to others.

Autism is a way of being different from what is know to be defined as "normal" in so called normal society.

Autistic humans beings are normal among other autistic human beings. Autistic saviants are the huge talents among their normal selves.

[amdachel]

Thank you for your analysis of the role of autism in the election. There is something seriously wrong when a disorder is a subject in a presidental debate and is now so common that everyone knows someone with an affected child, yet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still isn't sure if more children actually have autism. How long will federal health officials continue to tell us that there's no known cause or cure? How long will this disorder remain a mystery?

Anne Dachel
Autism Action Coalition

[stayinsouth1981]

I would like to know who is qualified to make the diagnosis?

Ten years ago, a school psychologist "observed" my son for a total of 5 minutes, talked to his primary teacher and then met with me in a room with 8 other "professio­nals." They informed me that my son had Aspergers and would need a special school for children such as those with conduct disorders. They nicely gave me the name of a physician who did developmental assessments. I felt raped.

I consulted the physician they suggested. I paid the bills as well. Doctor provided me with questions for myself as well as the teacher. I brought her past education records and testing results. She spent 4.5 hours getting to know my son, testing him neurologically as well as some verbal and performance oriented tests. Ultimately, the developmental neurologist pointed out that he did not meet the verbal criteria essential to that diagnosis. She talked to me about my family and how we behave, learn, perform and achieve. She gave me examples of people she had known in her practice and education with similar characteristics. She was thoughtful enough to provide me with resources and referrals in order for me to learn more about the diagnosis she did give him. Mild ADHD was what she determined was affecting his behavior most. She was right.

How DARE these so called professionals gang up on parents with one-two punches without adequate testing. How dare they? Who dares?

[suzyqtl]

As a mother with 2 Autistic boys it will be the Obama/Biden ticket hands down. Obama has had a plan posted on his site, specific to Autism, for some time now. It's a real approach and concern not just a comment solely for a vote. Palin cut funding in her state (while being an Aunt to a child with these needs), before she funded it. She did fund these issues before she had her own child with needs but, the fact that she cut funding for this, at anytime, during her very short career is not good. Besides not having a real plan outlined for these social issues, McCain's healthcare plan could be a disaster. If passed, as McCain would like to do, the potential by employers to not cover an individual (esp.Autis­tic), families to pay even more for autism, or outright denial to healthcare once dropped by an employer-based plan. Not to mention the whole education system, non-approach he offers.

[laucarlson]

Now I except to see the GOPs dragging a symbolic autistic child up on stage to exploit. All disabilities and mental illnesses need to be addressed fairly--not used to secure votes from narrow voter groups.

[poomplet]

Before this goes too far into the vaccine/me­rcury/thim­ersol argument, take a look at this: http://www.fda.gov/CBER/vaccine/thimerosal.htm#t1

Nuff said...it never caused autism, and one can easily avoid even the smallest trace amount in every childhood vaccination.

It never was an issue, and if it was, it isn't anymore.

The sooner you admit this, the sooner we will begin looking for the REAL causes & treatments, which is critical. I'm not dismissing autism...t­he toll on families..­.the costs...th­e insurance problems, etc.

I AM dismissing any connection to childhood vaccinations, mainly because MY 8 yo kid is 7 years post-liver transplant and if he gets measles, there's a ONE IN THREE chance he will DIE. Chicken pox & whooping cough, too. Sadly, there's not a clue what causes biliary atresia, so I can't find anyone to blame/sue.­..but I CAN stick up for the rights of millions of immunosuppressed kids whose very lives are jeoprodized by junk science.

[ousa]

The vaccine injury court, this year, found that vaccines did contribute to autism. Check out the case on Hannah Poling. There are many in line behind her.

[bluevalentine]

Exactly!
Vioxx...nu­ff said.

[AutismNewsBeat]

Sorry ousa, but the gov't never conceded vaccines cause autism. You need to read the Poling decision instead of just repeating the talking points that Jenny McCarthy gave you.

[freebeer]

It is an issue, and will continue to be one no matter how badly the big pharma people want it to go away.

The FDA is notorious for its subservience to the industries it is supposed to oversee. It fails to protect the American people by continually siding with corporate interests.

Here is Bobby Kennedy Jr. on thimerosal and autism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrIM2hwrLoc

BTW poomplet, you misspelled thimerosal. For someone who knows so much about it, I'm sure it was just a keying error. But for all those who want to google THIMEROSAL, it is good to have the proper spelling.

[kdoklahoma]

Being the mother of a 10 year old autistic son, I have looked very closely at both candidates and their running mates, and questioned who would better handle the issues. Hands down it is Obama/Biden. Obama really is empathic about our epidemic and sees a need to fund some studies, to find out what is going on and how to help deal with it.

As for McCain/Palin their interest doesn't seem genuine to me. Republicans have not been very good to the special needs families in our country. There is a severe lack of federal funding in the public schools; there has been a genuine lack of interest in funding any study or helping the families of children with autism out. So to hear McCain even bring up autism as if it was his pet project was very frustrating.

McCain has said that he will slash spending straight across the board, special needs will be one of those programs that is slashed! I could go on and on and on about this, but the point is, I do not feel that McCain/Palin will be an asset to special needs children, just because Palin has a special needs child. Palin and her son have more financial opportunities that few parents of autistic children can even begin to afford. Palin has not been supportive of women/children's programs in the recent past, while mayor and governor of Alaska, and it is very doubtful that she will be now.

[Blakkwolfe]

Thank you, Mr. Kirby. You have been an invaluable ally and soldier in our struggle, and we are forever indebted. I appreciate the fact that autism has reached the hearts and minds of these canidates, but hope that it is more than a buzz word.

Parents of autistic children need help desperately. We are all struggling. A lot of us are bankrupt. We have to fight and battle for every service, and even then it is barely sufficient. (My non-verbal 8 year old is still on a waiting list for speech therapy...­) The system is so convoluted and difficult that doubtlessly many children are under served just because of the red tape involved in getting anything done. Normal Hockey Moms have no idea what it's like to argue in an IEP meeting to try to get an extra 1/2 hour of physical therapy or try to fight the principal when the teacher says the child is "unteachab­le."

Of course, a federal indictment of the CDC would be appropriate at this juncture, but until then, we just keep on keeping on while nitwits like Denis Leary and Mike Savage attack us like we are somehow responsible for enabling the autism that has destroyed our lives. God bless you, brother.

[GrkAm]

Yes, autism is on the rise, and we need to find the cause and then how to treat it effectively. It is very hard for a family in this economy anyway without adding the stress of a special needs child.

However, (and this has been overlooked) Sarah Palin's baby son Trig has DOWN'S SYNDROME. This man is so out of touch he doesn't recognize the challenges of his own running mate! How will this translate to understanding the needs of the country SHOULD he become POTUS?

Longest campaign in history, for sure. But, we get litttle insights into this man's mentality every time he opens up his mouth! I guess there is a silver lining to every situation!

[T Pol]

As the article points out, Palin has a nephew with autism. But is she the one struggling daily to deal with his issues? No.

As for her own son with Down's, Palin blithely said there were plenty of aunties, uncles and cousins to help out.

Well, Gov. Palin, a LOT of us don't have extended families to help us raise our kids, with special needs or not. You are so out of touch with those of us who don't have you advantages, it's not funny.

Let's talk about eldercare while we're at it. I could tell stories to make hair curl.

The point is, cnadidates to have to have first-hand experience with each and every problem a person faces. But they have to move beyond glib rhetoric and faked empathy (which every time McCain or Palin says they know Americans are hurting, the insincerity is deafening).

To all you parents with autistic children, my heart goes out to you, and while I am limited in what I can do to help you, I will start with my vote for Obama/Biden. Anything that comes up that can help, I'll contact my legislator. And so on. Know that even those of us not dealing with autism but with other heartbreaking problems are there with you in spirit and support.

[CalBearinIllinois]

I have an 11 year old with autism. While I'd love to know someday what caused it definitively (although in my opinion there's a pretty clear genetic component - not a cause, but a component) I'm much more focused on making sure he has access to quality health care, educational and vocational opportunities. Obama's plan has a focus on that as well as basic research.

By comparison, that's where McCain really misses out on the interestes of the special needs community. By not funding IDEA or NCLB (spending freeze) he will continue the pressure in almost every school district to cut special ed services for budget reasons. His rejection of CLASS and the Community Choice Act will ensure states keep people in antiquated institutions rather than community settings. Finally, his health care proposal would be horrible for people with special needs and their families. For people who are lucky enough to have private insurance now, it would circumvent state care mandates. It is designed to encourage people to leave group coverage, which is the only way most families dealing with developmental disabilities get coverage they can afford. Plus, they want to cut over a trillion dollars from Medicaid and Medicare to pay for it, when Medicare is what most people with special needs will rely on at some point in their lives.

[RobinHMorris]

First and foremost, I would never label autism a "winner", debate induced or otherwise. The truth is that there is money in autism. Politicians, actors, comedians and even shock jocks are employing the A word to sell a book, a campaign or even snake oil.

It begs the question if any publicity is good publicity. I'm not sure. Especially when the public's perception of autism is skewed by self proclaimed experts.

A parent said "walk a mile..., or even a weekend with autism". It bears some thought.

[usna73]

Let's just hope that the Vaccine Court recognizes that they can't do an end run around the Obama administration and the protection that has been afforded the pharmaceutical industry under G.W. Bush will be eliminated.

I have a child who was mercury poisoned and we still don't have justice done. The families of people suffering from autism need justice and hey need it now.

This is long overdue.

[RCMoore]

I am sorry you child was mercury poisoned, but I have to wonder how a child gets exposed to toxic mercury compounds in this day and age?

Toxic mercury is now highly regulated (as opposed to the non-toxic forms the human body can easily handle). I seems strange a child would be exposed to enough to cause illness.

Or are you assuming it was mercury poisoning?

[ObjectiveAutismDad]

The thimerosal that was in many of the childhood vaccines until about 2003, and is still in tetanus and most of the flu shots (which are now recommended for young children and pregnant women) IS highly toxic (see the product label). My son is also mercury poisoned (verified by blood, urine and stool samples). He received over 130x the EPA limit of mercury in his childhood vaccines (the EPA limit is based on methyl-mercury, the vaccines contain ethyl-mercury). Ethyl-mercury has been shown to be more toxic than methyl-mercury. AND, it has also been shown that some people do not excrete these heavy metals when they're exposed to them.

[bluevalentine]

And what types of mercury can the body "easily" handle? Fish? That's definitely reduced for pregnant woman for the knowledge that the mercury can cause fetal neurolgical damage.
So what type of mercury is the good, non-toxic form?

[poomplet]

Here I was going to praise David Kirby for giving a shpiel, on autisim that didn't even hint at the vaccine issue & assessing blame (I DO salute that!). He sees that

But of course, that doesn't stop that claptrap from making it into the comments section. And USNA here makes it easy to show that this is more about suing deep-pocketed firms than getting to the real truth about autisim rates and WHY HAVE THEY RISEN DRAMATICALLY OVER THE LAST 30-40 YEARS WHEN MERCURY LEVELS IN VACCINES HAVE DROPPED TO ZERO? Environmental exposure has dropped drastically, too.

Mercury is gone from vaccines in the US...and has been gone from 99% of them for years. Even Holly Robinson Peete admitted in her HuffPo blog on this yesterday that her kid's vaccine had NO mercury in it...she (and others) believe the live viruses, immune system health & genetics are the main factor. ANYONE can check w/their doctors to verify the vaccines used are Thimersol free.

Mercury is a non-issue, and that has the anti-vaccine Luddites in a tizzy; who can they sue/blame NOW?? They put all their eggs in that basket, and they can't show ANY connection or explain, again, why autism rates haven't dropped along with the levels of mercury in vaccines and/or the environmen­t....inste­ad, they keep rising.

Can someone please address THAT?

[ObjectiveAutismDad]

Check your facts -- mercury has not been eliminated from the vaccines..­. Although it has been reduced. The tetanus and most flu shots still have it.

There was still quite a bit of the previously manufactured mercury laced vaccines on the shelf as recently as 2003-2005 -- I think that's the correct time frame. As far as I know no one has yet done a study of the incidence based on age cohort. AND, the kids at the tail end of that time frame are just reaching the age when autism would FIRST be diagnosed (many (most?) kids aren't diagnosed until almost age three, and some even later than that).

[Blakkwolfe]

Thimerisol (mercury) has long been suspected (though discounted by Big Pharma and the CDC) as being a catalyst for the onset of autism. It is introduced in massive amounts in childhood vaccines. Most children are able to get rid of it safely. Some can't, so they absorb this toxic material into thier systems. Most children can eat peanuts with no ill effects. For some it is fatal. Same with Bees. There are dozens of websites on the matter...I suggest looking at Dan Olmsted's www.ageofautism.com. Vaccines are important, but they need to be safe for every child.

[AutismNewsBeat]

I would never let my child eat bees.

[mathme]

The proportion of children born with diagnosable disorders in the autism spectrum most likely isn't rising, it's just that the diagnostic tools are becoming more precise and more children are being identified in screening. This is a *good thing*, for sure. I'm just saying's all.