Does anyone know why McCain said that Palin understands autism so well?

Does she have some special understanding of autism or interest in the subject, because I've never heard of her connection to autism before.

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Reading is Fundamental.

Does he think that her little one has autism or maybe he misspoke. I thought it came out of left field and while it is a worthy cause it simply isn't a reason Sarah Palin would be a good VP. KWIM?

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GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

Yes, I rather thought he either didn't know what Trig has or doesn't know there's a difference between autism and Down Syndrome. I hope there's a better explanation, though.

Of course, just having a child with a particular condition doesn't make you any kind of expert on it, anyway, so if that was his premise, that falls flat as well.

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Reading is Fundamental.

I found that strange too. He just couldn't think of any reason that would make her a good choice for VP. He was grasping at straws.

Not sure either why he said this.............."Her husbands a pretty tough guy, by the way, too".......... Was that supposed to give us confidence in Sarah s abilities or what? All i can think of is that he will be dispatched to strong arm people to see things her way like he tried in the troopergate scandal. Does McCain think that is a good thing. I sure dont

Palin has a nephew with autism (Palin's sister has a 13 year old son with autism).

Trig Palin's story is safe ground for the Republican ticket - Los Angeles Times

"As governor, she can point to a track record. In the budget she signed into law this year, Palin approved a dramatic raise in spending on "intensive needs" children, as Alaska officials define them, including those who need nurses full time or cannot breathe without ventilators. When Palin took office in 2006, the state was spending $27,000 a year per child. The budget she signed this year raised that funding to $49,000 per child. In three years, the amount will rise to $74,000, which is roughly equal to the yearly per-child cost of educating special needs children."

"Several other disability programs received increases. And Palin has nearly doubled state spending to combat fetal alcohol syndrome and has increased spending on adult mental health services by 59%. She also has shifted about $1.25 million in state money to faith-based programs that provide social services."

I love Palin!

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Lizzzz
Haunted_Studio

I have a nephew who is dyslexic. I hereby declare myself an expert on dyslexia and think it's fair to say that I understand it better than anyone else.

I can't run for office, however, as my husband is not a 'tough guy'. Dammit, I knew he'd hold me back.

Maureen

I thought it was well known that Down's children are at a higher risk for autism.

You people should really start doing your own research.

AGE OF AUTISM: How Will Sarah Palin Vaccinate Her Son Trig?

But for some of us, the selection of Sarah Palin has a special resonance. Palin's younger son, Trig, born on April 19, 2008, is barely 4 months old now. Trig has Down's syndrome, a disorder that began at conception when he received two copies of his 21st chromosome from either his mother or father (close to 90% of the time, the extra copy is maternal), leaving him with three copies of this chromosome instead of the usual two. This genetic condition, formally known as trisomy 21, affects roughly 1 in 800 American children today, but as many as 1 in 27 children born to mothers who, like Palin, give birth at age 44.

For readers of the Age of Autism, this 4 month child is worth watching. Because trisomy 21 is not just the cause of Down's syndrome, it is also a genetic susceptibility factor for autism.

Rates of autism in children with Down's syndrome have not been determined with any great precision. They are quite likely increasing as the background rate of autism has also increased in the last 15-20 years. But there is little dispute that autism rates are high in the Down's syndrome population. One 1999 study in the UK estimated the minimum rate of autism in a population of children with Down's syndrome in South Birmingham at 7%. That places the risk of autism in children with Down's syndrome at least 10 times higher than the regular population. For Sarah Palin, that means her 4 month old son Trig may have at least a 1 in 15 chance of developing autism in addition to his Down's syndrome if one applies a ten year old estimate. If one makes the reasonable assumption that autism risk has risen over the last decade Trig's autism risk may well be greater than 1 in 10. Those aren't very good odds, especially for a family already facing the hardship of managing the difficulties of a special needs child.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

Do you have my life. I have a nephew with autism but like you my DH is not a tough guy. He is a sweety though.

Seriously, I don't think I know more than anyone about autism because my nephew has it. Maybe Sarah has more time than I do to be around her nephew. After all, I only lived with my nephew from the time he was 6 until 14 when I went away to college. But she has been in politics for most if not all of her nephew's life and probably flies in to see him everyday. (at taxpayers expense, of course)..

Did you even see my post?

This isn't about her nephew. . .it's about Trig. As a child with Down's he has a roughly higher than 1 in 10 chance of developing autism. Children with Down's have a much higher rate of autism than non-Down's children.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

Yes I saw your post. I believe you but that doesn't make her an expert on autism. I doubt that at, what, 5 months, he has been diagnosed with autism. And besides, her husband and kids probably have more real experience with her sons problems as a child with downs. I don't mean this as a put down of her for not being with the child since I believe her husband and daughters can do a good job with Trig. I just think McCain was stretching with his comments. And it is obvious that they all adore him. (he is a cutey for sure)

Just another liberal trying to make something of nothing. Obviously Sen. McCain was referring to Palin's child. Read hambirg's post and you'll 'understand' it.

"Her sister, Heather Bruce, has a son with autism. Also, two of her cousins in her extended family, also have children with autism/Asperger's."

No, that does not make anyone an expert on autism...but that is more experience than I have.
I do not have any family members with autism.

But going on her record as Governor..it seems like she has been trying to get help (money in budget) for "special needs" children.

I don't think McCain said she was an autism expert. . .just that it's an important issue for her and that she understands the issues regarding autism and special needs children.

The OP asked if she had some special understanding or interest in the subject, and that answer is yes.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

Do you really think the OP was looking for an actual answer?

LOL! No, but they got one anyway.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

I am still trying to figure out where he says that she is an expert.... something can be important to you, it doesn't imply that you are an expert. He is just saying that Palin has a better understanding of why research is important than most. Most of us do not have family members that are autistic... some of you amaze me.........

To say that she knows all about autism because her infant *might* have it in the future is absurd. Diabetes runs in my family but the fact that one of my children *might* develop it doesn't mean I know 'better than most' about the trials of raising a child with diabetes. That's utterly ridiculous.

I think McCain either was confused (and at his age who could blame him) or saw a chance to garner votes from families who are actually dealing with autism....unlike Sarah Palin.

Maureen

There you liberals go again reading something and adding more than was actually said. Sen. McCain said "she understands special needs families" "she understands that autism is on the rise".

So show me where it says that Gov. Palin is an expert or knows all about autism?

When he said that, my immediate thought was, well, her son has Downs Syndrome, but, that's OK. Meaning, he probably meant that, etc. I just took it as she is familiar with having a child with a disability. She can relate to that much more than someone who does not have a child with a disability.

You know, kind of like Obama saying there were 57 states. He knows how many states there are, but, when you're under that spot light, the nerves can kick in and you know what you mean to say, it just sometimes doesn't come out the way you meant it.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

He never said she knows all about autism.

This is EXACTLY what McCain said:

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.

She understands that better than almost any American that I know. I'm proud of her.


He says she understands "special-needs families" and understands that "autism is on the rise" and that we need to find out what's causing it and how to help those families.

It seems like you are the one who is confused.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

1. There you conservatives go again, cutting out the parts you don't like.

2. McCain said, and I quote, "...— precious children who have autism. Sarah Palin knows about that better than most.". He did not say that she merely understood the issue in an average way, he said that she understands it better than most other people.

3. Websters defines 'expert' as: "a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field". I'm not sure if Websters dictionary is part of the left-wing liberal media, though, so it could be some kind of a plot.

Sheesh, is McCain your messiah or something? Is he your Chosen One? "He Who Can't be Criticized"? LOL! Kinda funny when it goes the other way.

Maureen

"Better than most" does not even remotely mean expert. It means better than most. . .that puts her in the top 50% as opposed to the bottom 50%.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

Well, I certainly agree that she's not remotely an expert.

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Reading is Fundamental.

Well that's just kinda sad, if he kept bringing it up over and over again because she was in the top 50%. Then again, maybe it was all he had....other than that 'tough guy' husband of course.

Maureen

You have the quote from McCain wrong. (Your #2 statement)
From the official transcript from CNN:

"McCain: Well, Americans have gotten to know Sarah Palin. They know that she's a role model to women and other -- and reformers all over America.

She's a reformer. She is -- she took on a governor who was a member of her own party when she ran for governor. When she was the head of their energy and natural resources board, she saw corruption, she resigned and said, "This can't go on."

She's given money back to the taxpayers. She's cut the size of government. She negotiated with the oil companies and faced them down, a $40 billion pipeline of natural gas that's going to relieve the energy needs of the United -- of what they call the lower 48.

She's a reformer through and through. And it's time we had that bresh of freth air (sic) -- breath of fresh air coming into our nation's capital and sweep out the old-boy network and the cronyism that's been so much a part of it that I've fought against for all these years.

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.

She understands that better than almost any American that I know. I'm proud of her.

And she has ignited our party and people all over America that have never been involved in the political process. And I can't tell how proud I am of her and her family.

Her husband's a pretty tough guy, by the way, too."

Nope, read on...it was later, when they were talking about vouchers. For some reason, he brought up Palin's autism expertise again.

Maureen

Sorry, you are right..but you should have used McCains whole quote..it sounds different when you read the whole section.

"McCain: Well, sure. I'm sure you're aware, Sen. Obama, of the program in the Washington, D.C., school system where vouchers are provided and there's a certain number, I think it's a thousand and some and some 9,000 parents asked to be eligible for that.

Because they wanted to have the same choice that you and I and Cindy and your wife have had. And that is because they wanted to choose the school that they thought was best for their children.

And we all know the state of the Washington, D.C., school system. That was vouchers. That was voucher, Sen. Obama. And I'm frankly surprised you didn't pay more attention to that example.

Now as far as the No Child Left Behind is concerned, it was a great first beginning in my view. It had its flaws, it had its problems, the first time we had looked at the issue of education in America from a nationwide perspective. And we need to fix a lot of the problems. We need to sit down and reauthorize it.

But, again, spending more money isn't always the answer. I think the Head Start program is a great program. A lot of people, including me, said, look, it's not doing what it should do. By the third grade many times children who were in the Head Start program aren't any better off than the others.

Let's reform it. Let's reform it and fund it. That was, of course, out-of-bounds by the Democrats. We need to reform these programs. We need to have transparency. We need to have rewards. It's a system that cries out for accountability and transparency and the adequate funding.

And I just said to you earlier, 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.

But to have a situation, as you mentioned in our earlier comments, that the most expensive education in the world is in the United States of America also means that it cries out for reform, as well.

And I will support those reforms, and I will fund the ones that are reformed. But I'm not going to continue to throw money at a problem. And I've got to tell you that vouchers, where they are requested and where they are agreed to, are a good and workable system. And it's been proven."

Sounded like patronizing garbage, no matter how much context you slap around it.

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Reading is Fundamental.

I don't think it's patronizing. He's trying to sell himself just like Obama is. Palin has done quite a bit in Alsaka for special needs kids. . . there's no shame in bringing that up.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

To me, it sounds pretty obvious that he's not saying she's an expert on autism. He's saying she understands the need for and the way to accomplish reform for children who fall under the umbrella of 'special' needs', and particularly those who have been afflicted with autism.

I do imagine she knows more about autism than most. Everything I've seen points to her having a close relationship with her sisters. I know I'm kind of a medical nerd and whenever anyone I know - friend or family - has a medical issue, I turn into a googling acorn <aka 'nut'> and learn all I can about it. When something impacts the lfe of someone you love, it's only natural that they'll share and confide about the obstacles in their paths. If you think about it, Sarah Palin and her sister have children about the same age, but obviously at some point they became aware that there was something profoundly different about her sister's child's behavior. I can't imagine that they *didn't* talk at length through the process of finding a dx for her nephew, etc. It's what sisters *do*.

And then as governor she sent a great big lot of money to that particular cause... probably because she understood it and it tugged at her heartstrings.

This is a *good* thing. It's a blessing for families who alread probably feel they have a big strike against them. Politics aside, I don't think this is something to pick her apart over - her record matches up with the words that were spoken, and if she sincerely feels for and advocates on behalf of these families, I couldn't in good conscience mock her for it, even if she was on the other side of the aisle from me, politically.

Guess what?

There are a lot of us who have personal experience about issues dealing with persons with disabilities. It doesn't make us the least bit qualified to be VP.

I watched a video on youtube tonight. It had a line, "I can see the moon, but that doesn't make me an astronaut."

Palin might have a child with disabilities. That doesn't make her an expert.

And I'm a bit perplexed at what it matters to you who cry "socialism" at every juncture. My party believes in supporting people with disabilities and working to get them employed in sustainable jobs. Which requires money. I'm assuming that that is what you think Palin would do as well.

It's a public welfare position that supports people in need regardless of their ability to support themselves financially.

Why doesn't that meet your definition of socialism?

I Palin is so smart why did she even have a child in her forties? The risks are to high at that age. I really don't think she could possibly understand special needs with her own child as she is not home enough to take care of him. I really feel sorry for her children. I know the father probably does a good job, but he is not the mother.

She certainly wasn't around enough for her daughter who probably needed her. Maybe she is against abortion but think again.

I certainly do not think she would make a good President if something happened to McCain. (Bush).

Whoa are you judgmental! So no one in their 40's should have children? If they do they aren't that smart? And it's her fault also that her daughter is pregnant? That's ridiculous.

I believe that Sarah Palins nephew is autistic. That would make her more aware of this disability than someone who doesn't know someone who is autistic. Combine that with her own special needs child and I'm sure she is more aware of the problems that come up with special needs children. Why is what McCain said being blown out of proportion? Geeez.

Such as? What has she personally done in Alaska for special needs kids?

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Reading is Fundamental.

State funding for disabled children this year included $500,000 for diagnostic services for autistic children, a program that was started last year, and another $250,000 to train workers in providing early intervention for them.

The governor also successfully pushed for an increase in education funding for severely disabled students that raised the level from $26,900 to $49,300 per student this year.

And more than anything else. . . she has brought these issues to the forefront. I have NEVER heard anything about special needs kids and the needs of their families ever being talked about before during a Presidential campaign. She is bringing awareness to the cause. . .that's the most important thing she has done.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

Do you have a special needs child?

Sometimes to bring visibilty to these kids and the needs of their families. . . they need to just not sit at home and do nothing else in life besides care giving.

I suppose you think institutionalizing these kids would be a good thing too.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

That's laughable. I asked you what she personally has done -- not what Alaskan taxpayers have done.

She hasn't done a thing for special needs kids herself except to use her own special needs child as a campaign prop. If you'd never heard about special needs kids and their families before, then you simply weren't listening or are uninformed on the issues yourself. She's not bringing awareness to anyone -- she's profiting off families that are already dealing with these kids.

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Reading is Fundamental.

I guess her pushing through legislation is not her doing.

You are REALLY stretching here and you know it. . .nice try but it's obvious.

You want personal. . .how about changing Trig's diaper? Does that make you feel better?

And as far as not bringing awareness to anyone. . .why don't you ask parents of special needs kids? Are you one?

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

Yes, I am, as a matter of fact, and Palin hasn't said one word about children with my child's disability -- nor do I expect she ever will.

As for the diaper -- I'd have to see a photo of her doing it before I believe she does that anymore.

SHE pushed through legislation? Give me a cite for that, please.

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Reading is Fundamental.

As far as her bringing the issue to the forefront and me not being aware of how "lots" of others have talked about it before in their campaigns:

The last time a candidate explicitly appealed to families of the disabled at a national convention, advocates said, was 20 years ago, when the presidential nominee, George H. W. Bush, endorsed the Americans with Disabilities Act — and got a 10 percentage point bump among voters who identified themselves as having disabilities, according to Andrew Imparato, president of the American Association of People with Disabilities, a lobbying group.

On Thursday, Imparato said he and other advocates received an e-mail message from Senator Barack Obama's campaign outlining the disabilities issues that the Democrats had addressed at their convention.

"They certainly must be aware of the effect Palin is having on this community," Imparato said


You can have your picture of Palin changing Trig's diaper when Obama turns over his birth certificate to the courts.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

From what I'm reading, of particular note is the fact that as Governor, Palin's budget included new funding for a childen's psychiatric hosptial in AK that provides intense therapy for children who are autistic, bi-polar, have FAS, and a number of other behavioral/mental disorders. She also put a lot of money into a school for the deaf. The legislature then restructured the way she had wanted monies allocated, but did leave her psyciatric and deaf funding intact.

FactCheck.org: Sliming Palin

"she increased special needs funding so dramatically that a representative of local school boards described the jump as "historic."

According to an April 2008 article in Education Week, Palin signed legislation in March 2008 that would increase public school funding considerably, including special needs funding. In particular, it would increase spending for certain special needs students that Alaska calls "intensive needs" (students with high-cost special requirements) from $26,900 per student in 2008 to $73,840 per student in 2011. That almost triples the per-student spending in three fiscal years. Palin's original proposal, according to the Anchorage Daily News, would have increased funds slightly more, giving intensive needs students a $77,740 allotment by 2011.
Education Week: A second part of the measure raises spending for students with special needs [the intensive needs group] to $73,840 in fiscal 2011, from the current $26,900 per student in fiscal 2008, according to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.

Unlike many other states, Alaska has relatively flush budget coffers, thanks to a rise in oil and gas revenues. Funding for schools will remain fairly level next year, however. Overall per-pupil funding across the state will rise by $100, to $5,480, in fiscal 2009. ...

Carl Rose, the executive director of the Association of Alaska School Boards, praised the changes in funding for rural schools and students with special needs as a "historic event," and said the finance overhaul would bring more stability to district budgets.
According to Eddy Jeans at the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, funding for special needs and intensive needs students has increased every year since Palin entered office, from a total of $203 million in 2006 to a projected $276 million in 2009."

forest, that backs up what I found, as well, but I can't seem to find my link again. My laptop adaptor bit the dust and now I can't boot the thing up... and the site I was on is locked away safely in the history tab of my now-dead machine - argh!

In the meantime... I do recall that specifically, those 'intensive needs' were bi-polar and severe autism, as well as fetal alcohol syndrome and reactive attachment disorder.

It appears that in AK, the governor authors what is called the "Governor's Budget", and then the legislature gets their chance to pick it apart, reallocate money to other causes, etc.... much like our federal system. I thought it interesting that the news site I read (and it was a legitimate news piece - not a blog!) kept capitalizing "Governor's Budget".

So she instigated the presence of that funding. It wasn't that the legislative body drew up the budget and she just signed off on it; it orignated with her, and they concurred and gave it a stamp of approval.

When it talks of 'intensive treatment,' from what I read she was raising funding for an in-patient center that treats children with especially severe behavioral issues related to the things I mentioned above - bi-polar, autism, fas, and rad, as well as a handful of other problems. This is for children who have tried intensive therapy while living at home or in a group home and have failed to make significant progress.

As someone with a young relative suffering from RAD, bi-polar, and ADHD who just went to live in a place such as this a week ago, I can only imagine that assistance at a place of this nature is a welome relief to famlies who are seemingly at the end of hope.

ETA: I'll pre-emptively say that I see that some on the left - at least the author of the barakforus.com website and others of that ilk - think Palin herself has BPD, so I'm bracing myself for statements saying she wanted funding for those disorders because she herself is sufferer. Of course, I guess that would make her an expert, soooo...
http://barackforus.com/2008/09/27/palin-bipolar/

You are confusing socialism and social interventionism.

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"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

Aw, c'mon, Danny. I expect more from you than comments like that - and I do mean that sincerely.

I could just as easily say something like....

"Guess what?

There are a lot of us who have personal experience about issues dealing with persons who are bi-racial. It doesn't make us the least bit qualified to be President.

Barak Obama might be bi-racial. That doesn't make him an expert."

Palin's awareness of and advocacy for those with special needs is, as I'm sure you realize, just one facet of what she stands for. There's not a candidate alive who doesn't have more going for them than experience in one single issue.

It's the sum of the parts that makes the man... or the woman.