Q: Why would Sarah Palin, mother of a Down Syndrome child, know a lot about autism?
A: The parents of autistic children--unlike those of Down Syndrome children--are well organized and much more politically savvy. In short, they're more politically useful than the parents of Down Syndrome children, the group one with which would normally expect the mother of a Down Syndrome child to identify.

This was nothing but shameless pandering. I was disgusted by it.

While I'm on the subject, I found it repulsive that Ms. Palin was literally waving her infant son in front of the crowd to pander to the "disability vote" at the Republican convention. Initially I thought she was a breath of fresh air but in her case familiarity has, indeed, brought contempt.

Dear Philip,

Although Nixon refused to debate George McGovern in 1972 I’ll remind you of
McGovern’s running mate Thomas Eagleton for all of about 18 days until his mood disorder and use of ECT were divulged. That was an extremely hot topic at the time.

Warmly,
Herb
VNSdepression.com

For a minute there it sounded like McCain had Sarah Palin's baby's disability, Downs syndrome, confused with autism but of course it's still a good thing this came up. I'm not convinced either candidate though really has a clue about how to tackle issues like this without being bulldozed by big pharma. Obama also did not answer the question well about how to make the trade off between cutting costs or increasing coverage in health care -- that was a very well phrased and excellent question on Schieffer's part and really gets at the core of our health care crisis -- Obama didn't get it nor did McCain -- too bad. They both need to read Overtreatment by Shannon Brownlee.

It's only "popped up" because a certain unvetted candidate uses her disabled offspring as a shield to ward off pointed criticism. "Propped up" is more like it. You betcha.

I'm going to say she won't know a true caregiver role of a disabled child with nannies and others helping her. That is why I hope she TRULY visits parents (like me and the ones I teach their children)to see why funding for these kids long term care and family support is needed.

Governor Palin's sister, Heather Bruce, has a child with autism. (NYT, September 7, 2008)

-snip-

In private, the Palins slowly started to share the Down syndrome diagnosis. They wrote a long letter to Ms. Bruce, Ms. Palin’s sister, who has an autistic son, explaining how they had come to embrace the challenges their baby would bring.

-end snip-

http://tinyurl.com/4lh8dm

As the parent of a child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, I can say from personal experience that aunts of children with autism often do know more about the disorder than most people who don't have autism in their family.

Also, children with Down Syndrome are more likely to develop autism than children who do not have Down Syndrome.

Candidates frequently appear on stage with their families. Kissing babies (their own and others) is nothing new on the campaign trail.

Actually, McCain & Obama had to discuss autism increasing rather than Down's syndrome increasing because there has been a tremendous slow down in the number of babies being born with Down's syndrome.

Almost all pregnant women now elect to have sonograms and other tests to detect abnormalities and there is a test which shows whether or not the baby has Down's Syndrome. Only one in 20 pregnant women choose to carry a Down's Syndrome baby to full term.

I think Sarah Palin was choosing to show that she was pro-life rather than pro-disability although I am sure she is both.

Also, she didn't have to worry about the baby crying while up on the stage becaus Down's Syndrome babies seldom cry. They are very easy going and non-tempremental. It is part of the Down's Syndrome disability.

Mary,
Thank you for that information. I try to maintain accuracy in my critiques. I figure I'm testy enough when I'm accurate AND there's enough misinformation floating around. No one needs me adding to it.

Rosie,
I think she had Bristol, her other daughter, on display to get the pro-life vote. The baby, combined with the little speech she issued whilst waving him around (and she did wave him, face to camera, in a fashion I've only seen done by Michael Jackson) was for the parents-of-children-with-disability vote. And, of course, it will work.

I'm not sure what Todd was there for. Oh yeah, the ski-doo crowd.

I knew Down Syndrome children are far and away the "easiest" of children to have if you have a child with a disability. Nonetheless, no one suffers more than parents who are aging and wondering "Who will care for my child when I die?" I do not envy them.

Frankly, I know little about downs syndrome...but I did babysit a down's child for a few years when I was a teenager who was incredibly difficult, stubborn and not at all cooperative (and very physically strong too!!)

My experience otherwise is that kids (and adults) with downs do have pleasant temperaments...but not true of the kid I babysat and the parents said it was not uncommon. perhaps they were just protecting themselves??

oh she was very loud too. would scream bloody murder if she didn't get her way...

Gianna,
Sounds like you were running into the compulsive side of Down. They can be very OCD, don't handle changes very well.

It's also pretty easy to spoil a Down syndrome child. I've seen kids who were the "pet" of an entire large high school. It was pretty benign, but not great preparation for life and I suppose it can segue into flat-out spoiling. It's easy to happen because generally they're pretty appealing personality wise.

It's a tough row to hoe, though. For everyone.

I teach autistic and downs syndrome children for a living. it's all individual need/functioning level; and 2 doctors have noted that they believe my daughter is a "morph" of both.

Gianna is right. Children with Down have a range of temperaments. And their parents used to be at the top of the disability world, giving us-for example, "inclusion" in public schools. The concept is not always correct: One size does not fit all. There are still group homes for retarded adults - perhaps only when their parents are elderly. But they are there, unlike the situation for people with mental illness - not a powerful advocacy group. Now, due to the decrease in Down and the increase in autism, new services for autistic spectrum children are on the rise and the power of the autism groups is growing.

I personally have trouble imagining Palin being all that sympathetic to disability politics.

Dear Philip:

A quote "While I'm on the subject, I found it repulsive that Ms. Palin was literally waving her infant son in front of the crowd to pander to the "disability vote" at the Republican convention. Initially I thought she was a breath of fresh air but in her case familiarity has, indeed, brought contempt."

Here's another ignorant Democratic post. So I feel it’s my duty to point this out for the sake of balance here. Did you look in those million dollar box seats at the democratic convention and see the heads of every major pharmaceutical company writing Obama blood money checks? Do you get pissed off when Obama brings his children on stage and parades them before the audience? Is that pandering to the race vote?

To Sherry, and all you Dem’s or others that just vote blindly without really researching the issues, and for not taking an honest look, but just a biased look at this election. That old looking through tainted rose colored liberal glasses effect once more. Geez you should post on Liz's site where all the “super leftist angry femi-nazi liberals hang out”! She's voting for Obama just because he's” Black”. Don't believe me on that? Go research her posting! Thank goodness there are some thoughtful people out there from all parties that are actually looking at the issues that will affect Mental Health and our Country. I don’t care who votes for who {that’s a personal right given to each of us by our constitution}, I hope as long as they have given the time and effort to weigh the issues at the very least.

Yours Truly,
Stan

As someone who has worked a good bit with people who have down's syndrome as well as with people with other disabilities, I have noted that one insidious form of discrimination that irritates many with down's syndrome is the idea that all people with down's syndrome are always sweet, cheerful, loving and virtuous. It's as bad as the idea that all people who are blind should be piano tuners. A person with down's syndrome is an individual with a full range of human emotions. It reminds me of a client with a head injury explaining how he went with a group of men from the half way house he was living in during his rehab to see the movie Regarding Henry. The guys left the movie furious at the prevalent idea that head injuries make mean people nice, a similar prejudice.

Sally you articulated what I was kinda thinking but didn't have enough experience to say about people with down's syndrome...

Stan...anyone who votes for a president based on the issues presented on this blog alone has some problems I think...

Single issue voters are scary...

ignorance about the dangers of pharma and psychiatry as practiced is everywhere and extremely bipartisan...and the president is not in a position to legislate the changes we need anyway...

our entire society is in need of educating on these matters. the president is unfortunately no different.

As an autism researcher and parent of a child with autism, I was happy to hear the candidates willing to discuss the need to address this topic. In particular, I appreciated Obama's candor regarding the need to address funding research, and not just for autism, but for other special needs. It saddens me when I read here, that the assumption is that research somehow equals "big pharma" or some such sinister thing. Much good work is being done in the autism research field that has absolutely nothing to do with pharmaceutical treatments. If one or both of these political parties are ready to step up and face the need to understand these difficult disorders, we've come a long way. Great, great news. I hope they meant it.

Please note in Palin's favor vis-a-vis the theme of this blog, that she is anti-eugenics. Which is courageously counter to the stance of some of the bipolar determinists that are decried here.

Dear Gianna:

Quote : "Stan...anyone who votes for a president based on the issues presented on this blog alone has some problems I think...

Single issue voters are scary..."

If this is an attack on my post I retort. Did you read anywhere in my post I was a single issue voter? So I would say stop your liberal spew and name calling, or we can go toe to toe anytime you wish on each and every issue involved in this election.

Quote: "ignorance about the dangers of pharma and psychiatry as practiced is everywhere and extremely bipartisan...and the president is not in a position to legislate the changes we need anyway...

our entire society is in need of educating on these matters. the president is unfortunately no different."

The President does make a huge difference; guess who is choicing the next head of the FDA? Who has the sounding board and Bully Pulpit to speak for America. From what I can tell Senator Grassley Rep. has been the only person to stand up to big Pharma at this juncture, though McCain did alude to doing so in the dabate. Again you show your absolute bias and ignornace on these issues.

You want to debate, let's go, I'm ready! Are you? or are you one of those I'm voting for Obama because he's black {aka "Liz Spikol" and her blog} and like throwing mud at a women trying to raise a down syndrome child? Talk about narrow minded, bitterness, and ingorance.

You want to talk about reform? How about the Nanny State Obama is heading us for with the San Fransico Liberal Sociolist Crowd? I would happen to like to keep the rights afforded me in the "Constitution" and "Bill Of Rights" thank you.

I speak out here because It appears I'm the only one that will stand up and give some balance to the spew thrown out here. I give opinions on issues, not personal attacks on a women trying the best she can at being both a mother and a canidate. What are you doing?

Yours Truly,
Stan

I don't think either McCain or Obama have a clue what it is like to care for a child with a disability...or know the difference between autism, Down's Syndrome or other "mental illnesses."
I could be wrong.

The Palins are now just going to get a taste of it. But they will be privileged and most likely get a lot of support with their child's care.
I was unaware that they had a sister with an autistic child. So maybe they know more than I am giving them credit for.

Can anyone win an election without money from Big Pharma?

Stan,
Ferheaveensake man, just for the record I am NOT pro-Obama.

I am, however, repulsed by someone who literally waves her newborn face first at the cameras in a large crowd to pander for votes. I'm sorry but that's a lot different than having your older children on stage or cradling your newborn on stage. You may not have noticed, but I didn't mention her other kids precisely for that reason.

Don't count me among the folks looking for a messiah. I'm too old to have a lot of respect for any politician.

Sherry

my goodness stan...take a chill pill I was not singling you out at all...

Sherry...
I'm with you...I don't trust politicians in general...

Yep, we need to get the Obama pro-eugenics position out there. Found this in a comment thread at Sadly, No just now, scary!

It is my understanding that soon we will all be in ACORN re-education camps where we will be chained to a barbed wire fence and forced to eat gruel until it is time to vote, at which time ACORN will put guns to our heads and lead us to the polls where, once we’ve pulled the lever for Obama, we will be “disposed of.” Then we will all be replaced by illegal immigrants who have been surgically altered to look just like us!

Why aren’t the American people more upset about this?

Why indeed.