Unanswered questions on special needs

Posted: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:01 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
McCain mentioned that Palin knows more about the issue of autism than nearly anyone. What evidence is there of that?

Because Palin has a child with Down Syndrome, it can be safely assumed she feels a connection with parents of children with special needs.

But what does McCain-Palin specifically want to do about special education? Do they agree with IDEA? Do they want to expand rights for special-education students to private schools? Do they want to increase funding? Do they want more access, by way of funding, to special-ed advocates?

McCain also said they want to help find a cure. But how?

The NIH budget has been slashed in the past eight years. Does McCain-Palin propose additional funding, particularly for autism or Down's research?

We don't know. Nothing was or has been laid out.

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Comments

I have a child with Autism and has special needs. I am very concerned about the governments lack of empathy for people who have mental illnesses. Many of the country's mental health progams have been slashed in funding during the Bush years. I am appalled that anyone could cut funding for the very vulnerable. I have struggled to take care of my son who takes 8 different medications and my Medicaid was cut because I made more than 10 dollars above the set guidelines eventhough I have 2 other children ands struggle to take care of my family. I have to decide what to buy. My son's medication or food or lights.

A.E. Winnabow, NC (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:23 PM)

I am very frustrated that McCain compared Palin to the professional women of this country. She is not even close to being a professioal women nor is she qualified to represent the women of this country.
For all of the women who have worked their way up through the ranks, we have not winked, giggled and acted like a silly beauty queen to get where we are. What McCain said was an insult to the professional women of this country. Many of my constituents in the past few weeks have felt nothing but disqust for Palin because of her behavior, her disgusting comments and her bad ethical power of abuse. Tell McCain if he thinks he can win by insulting the women of this country, he is very wrong.

Sharon McWillis, Seattle, Washington (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:23 PM)

I am always intrigued by Obama/McCain debates. Unfortunately, I feel that in tonight's debate, McCain looks desperate. I feel that he jumps from one subject to another and is hard to follow--he doesn't seem to remain focused on the subject at hand. He smiles and makes gestures at inappropriate times which makes him appear "out of sync."

All in all, I believe that Obama--once again--has won this debate. He delivers his comments and answers eloquently and distinctly. I truly believe Obama is the better candidate for President of the United States. Change is definitely needed and Obama is the one that probably can lead us down that path in a positive direction.

Jill Daugherty, Seville, OH (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:23 PM)

Palin's son with Down syndrome is about 6 months old. What does she know about the needs of people with disabilities?? It doesn't make any sense that all of the sudden she is an expert on something so new to her. Ok!! she may have read information about Down syndrome but now McCain wants to make her sound like she knows what people with disabilities and their families need. Does she even know what Down syndrome is??? I would like to hear what she knows about the issues relating to people with disabilities and convice me because I have a son with a dual diagonis of Down syndrome and Autism. Believe me that it takes a while for a new parent to learn about all the services available for your child and how to access these services. As far as the law and entitlements it's a whole new world for a lot of us to have to learn. It has taken me 10 years to kind of know the laws and how to access services for my son. It's tough and you almost have to be an attorney to access a lot of these services... So don't tell me that she knows about special needs. For all of you out there parents of children with special needs, tell me how long has it taking you to learn the ropes and tell me what where you doing 5 to 6 months after you found out or were given a diagnose for your child.

Mrs. M (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:24 PM)

Palin CUT FUNDING for special needs children as Governor of Alaska.. She didn't seem very interested in special needs kids until she had one of her own.

Kathy Birmingham, AL (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:24 PM)

There is no evidence. Gov. Palin does not even have any experience yet being the parent of a special needs child as her child is still a babe in arms. Having an autistic child, I am upset that Sen. McCain would insult my intelligence in this manner. He bashes Sen. Obama regarding "spending". In order to help us, it is necessary to have funding for education and medical. You can't get around it. Besides, it won't really matter to Gov. Palin, if she gets elected. She won't be raising that child. Someone else will.

MH, Minnesota (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:24 PM)

1. How we will obtain a national health care plan when the each state has their own health care plan laws and insurance commissioners office, plus a person is elected to run this office? The insurance commissioners have their own lobbyist & etcetera. I don't see any merit in what the candidates propose on this issue.
2. When will the mortgage fraud cases be taken seriously? No Doc Loans should never be written and if so constitutes fraud. Why was the Sarbanes Oxley act implemented if not to have the financial & mortage companies report their non-existent earnings and commercial paper risks?
3. You cannot clean up the system without cleaning house and enforcing fraud laws with the people who did the original loans.
The American people are incensed with a bailout plan that holds no one accountable for the mess. I for one would vote for Frankenstein if I thought he could kick ass and take names!!

Linda Spott, Seattle, WA (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:24 PM)

I AM the parent of a child with a severe disability. I am insulted that McCain 'threw a bone' in regarding 'special needs'. I have heard NOTHING specific from the Palin camp about what she would do for my son except 'be an advocate in the white house'. She hasn't begun to understand what lies ahead for her son.Being an 'advocate' involves a lot more expertise that Palin has. I'd like to hear what she has to say when she's trying to potty train her fifteen year old.

Deborah, Vista,CA (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:24 PM)

Education in itself is not the answer. I know many college educated people who can't discern lies from fact, as we see in the Election season. We need to teach people about research guidelines, specifically what credible references/sources are.

I truly believe the one of the most damaging things has been the advent of FOX News. Because FOX News cherry picks what to report, people don't get a lot of very important information. Then, what is reported is so biased that the information people do get is misinformation.

But back to the first point -- If these people were educated on how to identify garbage in the first place, and how to get facts on their own when they do question the garbage they read or hear, our country wouldn't be going down the toilet.

TruePatriot (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:26 PM)

Again with her knowing more. He has so lost any chance with me.

Pam Frazier (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:26 PM)

Actually, Palin cut funding to special needs children in Alaska.

Peter McQuaid, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:26 PM)

I have a niece with special needs and I believe that Sarah Palin uses her infant son as her political poster child. My niece is 38 years old; Sarah Palin's son is not yet two years old. How in the world does she already know all the challenges of a special needs child, especially when she is not even a devoted full time parent? McCain and Palin should stop throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Louise, Fort Washington, MD (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:27 PM)

Why does McCain talk about Palin's understanding of autism when her child has Down's Syndrome?

Eric, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:27 PM)

News Alert McBrain. Sarah Palin's child does not have autism. You seem to equate all children with special needs with autism.

sanityfirst (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:27 PM)

Does McCain think that Down's Syndrome and autism are the same thing? He just mentioned, again, that Sarah Palin knows all about autism.

We know what causes Down's Syndrome but not autism. Autism is a mystery.

Beth, Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:27 PM)

Senator McCain keeps mentioning autism in relation to Gov. Palin's baby, who has Down's Syndrome. These are very different conditions. Is he confused, or does he just say autism because it's more widespread and affects more voters?

Karen, Arlington, VA (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:27 PM)

You have my comment that Phalin cannot be compared to professional women and that McCain insulted the real professional women of this country by comparing her to us. She has been found quilty of unethical behavior in her position as Governor of Alaska, and yet still stands on the stage, winking, giggling and throwing herself at the crowd. Disgusting is the only word for her.

Sharon McWillis, Seattle, Washington (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:28 PM)

Palin has an INFANT with Down Syndrome, NOT autisim. How does she know more about autism than "most Americans"?

CT Voter (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:28 PM)

Sharon McWillis, Seattle, Washington (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:28 PM)

Are we sure that McCain doesn't think that Down's Syndrome is the same thing as Autism?

Eric Brodt, Charlotte, NC (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:28 PM)

McCain just did it again. He said that Sarah Palin knows about Autism better than anyone...Down's Syndrome and Autism are not the same and understanding one does not mean understanding the other.

Lauren, Fort Bragg (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:28 PM)

Okay, again Sarah Palin is now the expert on Autism!!! Please!!! He wants to propose all this stuff with no plan laid out or how he plans to pay for this, and then turns on Obama for wanting to spend money to reform programs. And, why is McCain getting all the last words. Why isn't Bob Schieffer stopping him. At least he doesn't get the last word in the summation.

Renee Reed, Dayton, OH (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:28 PM)

No, no, no on vouchers. There are a lot of Christian schools out there just waiting for our tax dollars. Seperation of Church and State MUST be preserved in the case of vouchers.

TruePatriot (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:29 PM)

This makes me hot! I have been teaching special education for 25 years! Just because you have a child with a disability does not make you an expert on Autism! Republicans have a record on not funding educating students with disabilities! He also stated that people that have served in the military should be able to teach without certification or taking the tests that teachers have to take! I have a masters degree plus! It takes a lot of education to become a master teacher. He does not know what he is talking about. BEWARE!!!!!

Karen Gillette Idah (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:29 PM)

NO MENTION OF DOWNS SYNDROME..I THOUGHT SARAH PALIN HAD A CHILD WITH DS..AND ALL THE MENTION WAS ABOUT AUTISM.
DID MCCAIN EVEN KNOW SARAH HAS A CHILD WITH DS AND NOT WITH AUTISM ?

Jobama (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:29 PM)

How is it possible that Sarah Palin "knows more about Autism than most". Her child who has down syndrome is still a baby of less than a year, so she's no where close to understanding the extent of his developmental needs.

Obiden in Austin (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:30 PM)

Did you know that Palin cut the funding on special needs children? it's true... but that was before she had her "special needs" child. After her chlid was born she raised the funding, understanding how other woman feel..

MrsMoore (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:31 PM)

Obviously he does not know the difference between Down Syndrome and Autism. Uugh, McCain really drives me nuts when he talks about special needs...he really could give a darn

Judy Goebel, Fond du Lac WI (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:31 PM)

Down Syndrome, which is what Trig has, is not Autism.
Totally different. Duh.

J Bfield (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:31 PM)

I agree, What does she know about a child with special needs? Her child is still a baby. Plus, if she is VP, she will have loads of help.

Donna Touchton, Sharpsburg, GA (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:31 PM)

Having an infant with Down's is very much different then caring for your child when they are 10 years old or 20 years old or older. Can she really relate to the day to day of a women caring for her 40 year old brother who has down's? What specificly has her last 5 months taught her that better prepares her to deal with Down's?

Bob, Manahawkin, NJ (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:31 PM)

I could not believe the absolutely condescending tone used by McCain this evening. How insulting!

Shawn Hadley (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:31 PM)

Just because Palin has less "upstairs" than a down syndrome child, doesn't mean she knows anything about them. And McStupid doesn't know the difference
between autism and down syndrome?!

Leonard, Miami Fl (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:32 PM)

Trig needs early intervention resource and Mom needs to be around to help the challenged kid.what Sarah the Mom is doing is paling around america and not taking care of her child.
Sarah..Be a Mom first,Country next..

Saradara (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:32 PM)

Twice tonight, McCain referred to "Autisim" in relation to Sarah Palin's situation. Doesn't he know her child has Down's Syndrome?

Diane (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:32 PM)

I actually think that Senator McCain was CONFUSING autism for downs syndrome. Tell me if I am wrong?

Dianne Pearce, North Palm Beach, FL (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:32 PM)

McCain never answer Obama were the money would come for vouchers.

Gorefan (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:32 PM)

Sarah knows more about energy than anyone on the planet. Now she knows more about autism than mostly anyone even though her child doesn't have autism. Sarah for President! Apparently, she's the smartest person on the planet. We don't even have to hold an election.

tannic, Atlanta (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:33 PM)

I understand Palin would be understanding and compassionate about Autism. But that is all that McCain discussed about Palin's qualifications.
This sounded extremely childish compared to Obama's mention of Biden's qualification.

Maqsud, Dhaka, Bangladesh (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:33 PM)

So... Palin is automatically the star of special needs children because she is the parent of a six month old Down Syndrome child? No, that wasn't pandering, was it?

Add in the feigned sadness for Nancy Reagan... (wasn't it Ted Kennedy in a previous debate) and we all are supposed to Pavlovianlly salivate and collectively go, "awww...." and then experience warm and fuzzy feelings about Mr. Compassionate McCain.

Please.

Samantha, Centennial, CO (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:33 PM)

Thank you Senator McCain, you finalized my decision on who I will be voting for. I will be voting for Sen Obama. Anyone who nationally lumps autism and Down's Syndrome obviously doesn't get it. Ask any parent with a special needs child. Just when I thought I may come back to the Repulican Party, you demonstrated again, the Republican Party is out of touch with working mothers.

Diana (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:33 PM)

It's unfortunate that does know the difference between autism and mongoloid. Just because Palin has a mongoloid child does not make her an authority on autism. It is unfortunate also the McCain doesn't know that a mongoloid person can still live a productive life where an autistic person cannot.

Cathie Jones, St Louis MO (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:33 PM)

If pasty face, smirks, shallow replies and condescension
are a home run, McCain hit a grand slam.

JCR, CF, IA (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:34 PM)

Simply giving birth to and caring for a child with Down's Syndrome should give Sarah Palin no brownie points. Her child was born into a privileged family who has all available resources to meet his needs and will for the remainder of his lifetime. She is FAR from the typical mother of a child with special needs, who often must choose between making a living and caring for their child, has limited to no health coverage, searching for health care providers, dealing with behavior problems, poor social support and resources - I could go on and on.

John McCain said at least twice that Sarah Palin knows about autism. I think he's confused, and probably does not understand the difference between trisomy 21 and autism. They are not the same thing. With the recent stats that as many as 1 in 150 children have autism, he was most likely shopping for votes.

Christine, Milwaukee, WI (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:34 PM)

Diana (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:34 PM)

45 yrs ago in Nsg. school, one cause of Down's Syndrome child was known to be Either very young or older Mother. So why did a 44 yr. old decide to become pregnant? Ms. Palin certainlt does NOT have experience with either Autism or Down's Syndrome child, she has not been involved in the care of her special needs infant, nor has she had to struggle to proivide medical care for her child.

Mary Coss, Tucson, Arizona (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:35 PM)

If Palin knew anything about special needs children she would raise her own child instead of running for VP. I am personally insulted by Johns comment on Palin Knowing about special needs children .How old is her son? I have a 22 year old daughter whom I have raised and If I ran for VP there is no way I could benefit my child. If I had a daughter that was pregnent at 17 years of age I would seriously consider changing the way I did buisness in my home. I do have three daughters.The ages are 22,26, and 19. I do know what I am talking about. Sara Palin you do not represent me! P.S I was a republican.

Charlene Bundschuh, Buffalo, New York (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:36 PM)

Sarah Palin CUT special Needs funding before she had a special needs child. Now all of a sudden it is SO IMPORTANT to her. Sorry. It's self serving, but then again, at least she's consistent.

In 2007, before Palin assumed her office of governor, the State of Alaska FY2007 Governor’s Operating Budget for the Department of Education and Early Development Special Schools Component Budget Summary (this department provides services---not just school but services---for children with severe disabling conditions) includes approved and necessary budget increases to help special needs children. This budget was released in December, on the 15th to be precise, 2006.

In that budget, the budget actuals are (FY = Fiscal Year):

FY 2005 6945.30
FY 2007 Management Plan 7949.30
FY 2007 Governors 8265.30

Palin was elected governor in November of 2006, and assumed her position in January 2007.

When budget time rolled around in 2007, Sarah Palin---self professed advocate for special needs chldren, mother to a special needs child, aunt to a special needs child, and who promised in her acceptance speech last night that she was there for special needs children---slashed the budget. When she said she would be a "friend and advocate in the White House," I guess she just meant in words, not with actual money for needed services.

Here's what the State of Alaska FY2008 Governor’s Operating Budget for the Department of Education and Early Development Special Schools Component Budget Summary shows:

FY 2006 7949.30
FY 2007 Management Plan 3173.70
FY 2008 Governor 3156.00

You see right. Under Governor Palin, funds decreased from a planned budget of 8265.30 to 3156.0. That's a 62% decrease. Actual consumed amount went from 7949.3 to 3156.00, where it lingers to this day. That's a 60% decrease.

How many children lost services? Too many.

Dee Nelson, Cleveland, OH (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:39 PM)

Palin's sister has a child with autism. Anyone who has this in their family is pretty well-versed in terms of the diagnosis process and what services are or are not available. I would think she's also had a few things come across her desk as governor--she has a record on special ed funding. McCain was a co-sponsor of the IDEA--Joe Biden AWOL on this. Instead of foreign policy (please leave that to Secretary of State Leiberman), this would be a fine area for Palin to immediately develop as a VP. I think your questions are good & I bet the McCain campaign can answer them for you if you ask instead of speculate & claim you don't know. Go do some journalism and find out for us.

CKH, Seattle, WA (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:39 PM)

I am a parent of two children with autism and I know first hand of negative impact of Washington's Tax Cuts!
My children or not better off then they were 8 years ago. And I did not hear McCain say anything but patronizing words to parents like me. I know by experience of 10 years of raising special needs children-something Palin has had the luxury of not having to worry about yet, it will money, and lots of it to support our special needs children. Ask any Joe-six pack who must fight their local public school and state health and human services dept. every day.
Obama is right on the money because he speaks the truth- He is my children's earth angel!!!

Cathy (Sent Wednesday, October 15, 2008 10:40 PM)

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