Obama and McCain on Autism
August 29, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Both Senators Barack Obama and John McCain have statements on their websites about autism. Obama’s is in a section on healthcare and is entitled Support Americans with Autism; he also has a plan on Autism Spectrum Disorders in his section on disabilities. McCain’s statement is also in a section on health care, with a statement about Combating Autism in America on a separate webpage.
Back in November, Senator Hillary Clinton’s website was the comprehensive about autism issues. Obama’s current two-paragraph statement on autism is the same as it was in November, as was his plan to empower Americans with disabilities. McCain’s website did not yet contain a section on autism. McCain made his entrance into autism politics with a February reference to thimerosal and the rise in the incidence of autism. In April, Obama was quoted at a Pennsylvania rally as saying that evidence linking vaccines and autism was “inconclusive” and that further research is needed.
And now it’s the end of August. Obama’s given his acceptance speech and McCain has chosen the Governor of Alaska and the mother of a young son with Down Syndrome, Sarah Palin, as his running mate. Here’s a closer look at what each candidate’s position on autism is.
On McCain’s website is a statement entitled, again, Combating Autism in America; the statement highlights the Senator’s concerns about finding out why the incidence of autism has risen in recent years. (Emphases in italics are mind.)
Combating Autism in America
John McCain is very concerned about the rising incidence of autism among America’s children and has continually supported research into its causes and treatment. He has heard countless stories about families’ hardships obtaining a diagnosis for their children’s autism and accessing quality medical treatment. He believes that federal research efforts should support broad approaches to understanding the factors that may play a role in the incidence of autism, including factors in our environment, for both prevention and treatment purposes.
John McCain was proud to lend his support to the Combating Autism Act of 2006, which he cosponsored, and worked to ensure its enactment. This law is helping to increase public awareness and screening of autism spectrum disorder, promote the use of evidence-based interventions, and create autism Centers of Excellence for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research and Epidemiology. John McCain understands that despite the federal and scientific research efforts to date, the exact causes of autism are not yet known and greater research is needed to understand this disorder. That is why in November 2007, he joined with Senator Lieberman in requesting the leadership of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which has jurisdiction over federal research into autism, to hold a hearing on federal research efforts regarding factors affecting incidence and treatment in order to help determine where research efforts can best be directed. As President, John McCain will work to advance federal research into autism, promote early screening, and identify better treatment options, while providing support for children with autism so that they may reach their full potential.
Early screening, better options for treatment, and doing what can be done to enable autistic children to “reach their full potential; important and essential. McCain’s autism webpage does not specifically refer to services or education (and special education, IDEA, and autism are not mentioned on his page on education issues).
Again, Obama’s plan on Autism Spectrum Disorders is in his section on disabilities. Here’s the plan in full (again with some points highlighted in italics by me):
BARACK OBAMA: SUPPORTING AMERICANS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
More than one million Americans have Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), a complex condition that impacts communication, socialization, and behavior. And more cases of ASD are being recognized across the country at an alarming pace. Barack Obama believes that we must do more to help support Americans with ASD, their families, and their communities. Throughout his career, Barack Obama has worked with families affected by ASD to raise awareness and to provide support to parents and families living with ASD. As president, Obama will build on these many years of advocacy and ensure that his administration prioritizes ASD research, public awareness, and lifelong support services. Obama will seek to increase federal ASD funding for research, treatment, screenings, public awareness, and support services to $1 billion annually by the end of his first term in office. Obama will also continue to work with parents, physicians, providers, researchers, and schools to create opportunities and effective solutions for people with ASD.
Record of Leadership on ASD Research and Care: As an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama sponsored legislation that became law to create an ASD diagnosis education program, an initiative designed to promote the implementation of evidence-based practices. The goal of the project is to offer educational opportunities at all levels of care, including physicians, early intervention (EI) specialists, psychologists, teachers, day care providers, parents, respite workers, and speech and language therapists. Obama has personally worked side-by-side with Illinois families affected by ASD to support efforts to build the Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research. This school and research center will bring together education, academic research, early intervention programs, and training to prepare its students for independent living.
In the U.S. Senate, Obama is a cosponsor of a measure that would expand federal funding for life-long services for people with ASD, authorizing approximately $350 million in new federal funding for key programs related to treatments, interventions and services for both children and adults with ASD.
Appoint Federal ASD Coordinator to Oversee All Federal ASD Efforts: Barack Obama will ensure all federal ASD activities occur in an efficient manner that prioritizes both research and supports for families affected by ASD. Obama will appoint a Federal ASD Coordinator to oversee federal ASD research and federal efforts to improve awareness of ASD and improve the training of medical professionals to identify and treat ASD. By establishing one top-level point person to coordinate ASD efforts in the White House, Obama will ensure that ASD receives the recognition and priority it deserves in the federal government. The Federal ASD Coordinator will also be tasked with eliminating bureaucratic obstacles that may be delaying implementation of important ASD measures and ensuring that all federal ASD dollars are being spent in a manner that prioritizes results. The Coordinator will work with state task forces on ASD to ensure effective communication and collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies.
Fully Fund the Combating Autism Act and Federal Autism Research Initiatives: Barack Obama supported the Combating Autism Act of 2006, which was signed into law in December 2006. The Combating Autism Act authorizes increased federal funding for ASD research and efforts to boost public awareness and early diagnosis of ASD. Since the bill has been enacted, however, federal funding for ASD has not increased to the levels authorized by the Combating Autism Act. As a U.S. Senator, Obama has worked to fully fund the Combating Autism Act and as president, he will ensure that his administration addresses the growing impact of ASD and other special needs on American families. President Obama will fully fund the Combating Autism Act, which provides nearly $1 billion in autism-related funding over 5 years, and work with Congress, parents and ASD experts to determine how to further improve federal and state programs.
Support Special Needs Education for Children with ASD: Barack Obama understands that children with special needs – students with visual, hearing, physical, sensory, and mental impairments – require meaningful resources to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Obama is a strong supporter of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and supports full federal funding of the law to truly ensure that no child is left behind. The current underfunding of IDEA causes school districts throughout the country to deny necessary services to students with ASD and other special needs. Obama will also work to change IDEA’s definition of “autism” to Autism Spectrum Disorders to ensure that all children diagnosed with ASD disorders receive the
support they need.Support Universal Screening: While roughly 90 percent of infants in the United States are currently screened for various potentially disabling or life-threatening conditions, fewer than half the states screen all infants for the full recommended panel of 29 disorders. Many of these conditions, if caught early, can be treated before they result in permanent impairments or even death. Barack Obama believes we should screen all infants, and also that we must set a national goal to provide re-screening for all two-year-olds, the age at which some conditions, including ASD, begin to appear. These screenings will be safe and secure, and available for every American that wants them. Part of Obama’s early childhood intervention plan will be directed at coordinating fragmented community programs to help provide all children access to screening for disabilities as infants and again as two-year olds. Achieving universal screening is essential so that disabilities can be identified early enough for those children and families to get the special supports and resources they need.
Work Together: As part of his commitment to open the doors of our government to the American people, Barack Obama is committed to facilitating open dialogue among Americans with special needs and their families, federal and state agencies, regional centers, resource centers, research institutions, school districts, first responders, and community members.
Special education and universal screening for autism in young children are specifically mentioned in Obama’s plan, as well as support for lifelong services. There’s an understanding of autism as an “autism spectrum,” and that individuals at different ends of the autism spectrumm and their families, all alike require—in varying ways—-supports and services.
BS”D
Any differences on autism noted above pale in contrast to Obama’s view that the lives of disabled newborns and fetuses are, in his own words, “above [his] pay grade.” Obama’s postition on disabled newborns contrasts sharply with the example of McCain’s VP choice Sarah Palin, who walks the walk and does not merely talk the talk here. The first right people with disabilities are entitled to is the right to live, at both ends of the lifespan, and a candidate who thinks that defending the sanctity of our lives from eugenicists is “above [his] pay grade” is manifestly unfit to be promoted to President of the United States.
When researchers one day find specific genes for autism, which candidate would be more likely to oppose eugenic elimination of autistics?
Also When they say services it is about torture aka ABA they are thinking about. Universal screening will a be disaters for so many young lives
ABA is not torture, it works if you can get past your child actually being upset for a little while (heaven forbid). Most kids actually love it after they get used to it. Our job is not to coddle our children and make them happy every second of the day, its to teach them independence. Oh, and Democrats don’t support or promote abortion, they just believe that its not our governments place to ban it outright. I care more about their stance on disability issues because that is what affects MY child’s life.
Most kids actually love it after they get used to it
We call that the stockholm syndrome
Oh, golly. Well, anyway, I’d like PARENTS to choose the wheres and whens and types of therapies and help for their children. The LAST thing I’d want would be for “funding” to be funnelled through the public schools. We’ve had problems with my child being abused in public school (as you well know). I think at least there should be genuine CHOICES for parents of ASD kiddos. My choice is go to the school and deal with abuse and mislabelling, or tough luck because our insurance doesn’t cover therapies.
We’re choosing homeschooling and tough luck. Hope it works out well for Elf.
Palin is very scary in that she wants to put the teaching of creationism in public schools. The last thing we need is to make all of our kids disabled.
Regarding finding the genes that contribute to autism, it would be a major plus for all since we can use science to find new ways to help children and adults with autism. Since the Fragile X gene was discovered, we are coming closer to helping people that have Fragile X. Not by eliminating pregnancies but by helping those that have already been born.
My kids were non-verbal until they received ABA services. It has been a blessing for my family. It is important that our next President will fully support IDEA funding. The public schools very rarely offer ABA since they are underfunded. By fully funding IDEA, this will make a major difference.
I don’t know how widely known this is; it’s news to me, (FWIW)–Mike Strautmanis, who has been Barack Obama’s Chief Counsel and is a personal friend of the Obama family, is the parent of an autistic child.
Although this is a few months back, I thought it might be of interest to hear Mr. Strautmanis’ description of the Obama campaign’s take on disability issues, and some of his own experience around autism.
Obama disability policy conference call
1/29/08
It seems to me that Senator Obama gets it. Finally we have the chance of having someone in the white house who understands the lives of families who deals with autism on a daily basis. Where as Senator McCain it is business as usual. Just to give you an ideal of how bad it is my daughter has been on a waitlist for 10 years for services. To have someone who is not only going to fully fund the autism act but to also appoint someone to his white house staff to oversee the funding I think it is about time. YOU GO OBAMA!!!
Interesting quote making the rounds,
“This election is not about issues,” said Davis. “This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates.”
John McCain campaign manager Rick Davis, to the Washington Post.
It’s kind of hard to tell what particular point Mr. Davis is making…are we electing America’s Next Top Model?
Palin is far from pro-disabled. She flew at 35 +weeks pregnant in violation of FAA regulations.
This caused a hole in her amniotic sac. She didn’t care.She gave her speech and then called her doctor who said go to a hospital. Palin replied no , I don’t want my baby born in Texas. She then flew back to Alaska – 9 hours !
Leaking fluid all the way. Violation of FAA regulations again and any thought of the baby’s health. She landed and drove 40 miles to have the baby in a hospital without a neo-natal intensive care unit.
I hate to say this but it sure looks like she did this to minimize his chances of survival. No mother in her right mind would fly 9
hours with leaking amniotic fluid knowing she was carrying a high risk baby.
Due to poor muscle tone many babies with Down syndrome have trouble feeding. She doesn’t care after 3 days she dumps the baby she supposedly wanted so badly on whatever caretaker she can find and heads back to work !
You can argue whether Obama or McCAin are more pro- special needs families. But not Palin – she is a disgrace !
As for education forget it ! She prevented the daughter from finishing high school in an attempt to hide the pregnancy. Is that worth ruining the girls chance for a high school diploma.
Then she lied and said she home schooled her.
Big problem. In Alaska you have to sign up as a home schooler with the State by Sept 1 !
OOPS she forgot !
The best thing I have heard so far is let’s all hope McCain keeps wearing a hat so his skin cancer doesn’t come back !
We have two well respected men in Obama and McCain. Both have their positives and negatives.
But Palin. She is anti-disabled,anti-education and anti – all our civil rights.
I am so tired of hearing how Palin’s decision not to abort her baby proves anything. It’s a decision she faced and made.
When pregnant I got one of those tests that said I had an increased risk of one of my babies having Downs. Did I want the the AS? NO! I was terrified at the chance of harming either one of them. I knew I wouldn’t abort anyway.
How about the two months I laid on the hospital bed after I went into labor at 24 weeks. (imagine what an amneo at 17 weeks would have done)
All that time I was SURE my ds or dd would have downs. Never once did that make me any less devoted to keeping them healthy, no matter the cost to me. I didn’t care if I lost my job or the house or anything, as long as they were Ok.
Does that prove that I’m Right to Life? Maybe I should run for office and get the right wing vote based on that. Wouldn’t they be surprised when I started voting.
As a resident of illinois with a son who has pdd and a daughter who was adhd and is bipolar and a sister of a severley autistic brother, I wrote to Obama 2004 with a hope he would help champion the cause for developemental disablities. Answer from his office was, his accomplishments for a youth center for underprivileged in chicago etc. and said he can’t do everything. Illinois rank is amongst the ten worst in the nation for funding for the developemental disabled while funding for #1 Arizona (McCain) and #4 Alaska (Palin) are in the top ten for taking care of our children. Obama has earmarked more for Chicago parks and museums than he has for disabled children and adults. Check the stats. I don’t think he gets it, I think the chicago machine will get it
I know which stats you are referring to and Alaska and Arizona had been on the list in the top 10 for a while now, so I don’t believe that Sen McCain or Gov Palin has anything to do with that. Plus you have to look at the number of people in the state that are using the programs put into place. I seriously doubt that Alaska or Arizona has more families using services than families in Illinois. As far as Palin being pro special needs, her journey has just began. She doesn’t know what lies ahead for her or her son. Besides with the money and support she has or will have I doubt she will be in need of any of the services that the average family would need.
@g ware, indeed, Gov Palin really is just at the beginning of her journey as a special needs parent—it’ll be of interest to see what ensues.
Illinois is the 5th wealthest state in the nation with some of the highest taxes in the nation, yet we have a 44 billion dollar pension debt which is the worst in the nation, special ed for the kids are a a nightmare. The federal government gives each state money perportionately according to their population…..so we should have more than we have. I must say our museums and parks are beautiful. there seems to be a cast system that is becomming more and more noticeble in chicago the very very wealthy and thoes living arround the poverty level. Senator McCain has been in the senate since 1987, also his wife is a special ed teacher. Palin is new to the challanges ahead, but all the money in the world won’t change the heartbreak to come just the load. My little brother is now 49 he was on a waiting list for a home for 20 years after contacting an advocate he got one of the two places that 52 people were waiting for. we manage to get him in one of the best places in illinois, and we have to monitor him constantly or he wont be wearing a jacket in the winter or there won’t be sheets on his bed or he won’t bring his lunch to work shop. you see the problem is that your loved one is just a job to someone else, no matter what your payscale is. I can tell you that the last thing you want to do is make the rest of the country like Illinois.
Jaz,
It sounds to me that you did an outstanding job of advocating for your brother by speaking out for him. I have to say that Illinois is not the worst of the states, we lived in a southern state for two years and between the educational system and the system for people with disabilities it was terrible. Primarly because of the number of people waiting for services. The one thing I have learned is that no matter who is in the White House, if you do not speak up and advocate for you loved one no one else will, no matter what their job title is.
And I need to add that it is a weatlhy state as well.
It is wealthy according to all stats, the tax base is large and high, yet services are not close (49th) to what we pull in. Illinois has been told several times by the feds that we are mismanaging the money that is given to us, by the federal gov. Getting my kids through the ed. system was a nightmare too.
Is there a way to privitize autism? If there is, then the Repubs would do it in a heartbeat.
DO NOT kid yourselves…McCain is NOT pro-education..He’s a REPUBLICAN….he’s pro-BUSINESS!!!!!!
Every earmark that Obama has made benifits him and his friends, he is part of the Chicago Machine, and he has done NOTHING for education or disibilties Oh he did give an earmak to a museum for a reading program, but they are obama contributors, whatever he gives he gets back in spades. Look up the facts, it’s all in the public record. I use to be all about Obama, back when he ran against Keyes, not anymore, I’m living in the results of him. If pro-business you mean your printer, bueatician, a hotdog stand down the steet, or some one who has a small manufacturing business, than your talking about the foundation of this country.
After watching the Republican Convention I can’t possibly see how anyone who makes less than one hundred thousand a year could in anyway be a republican; you can’t afford to be. If Sen. McCain gets in the White House we can look forward to the same as the last eight years. Look at who is pulling the strings of his campaign Karl Rove come on.. McCain is big business. If it were up to the republicans, any person that was in need of any help would be in big trouble. Their guide is “I got mine, now you get yours”. Instead of “I am my brothers Keeper”.
The Problem is we got to many brothers and not enough contributors, contributing to those who need it. Over 42% of our businesses are foreign owned, our taxes are among the highest in the world Around 35% vs 25%, which prevents us from being competative, and the way we treat our citizens prohibits us from starting and growing Businesses. I feel If you are a citizen who owns 51% a business or wants to start one then you should be afforded every tax, and or grant and incentive to do so. We should stop paying ridiculous drug prices so other countries can buy them for less and so the ceo can make 17 million a year. Lets help start a business or allow us to go to other companies to compete against them. If education levels the playing field why does one family end up with a debt of 100 + Thousand and another ends up with nothing for the same education, effective pulling one of the students back for years having to pay loans back, stopping them from investing in homes or businesses, or investments. If education is so bad why are so many foreign students apply and get into our top schools. Does it mean our kids turn stupid turning in their applications and our colleges too smart for us? I say everyone pays no free rides except for the military, but here’s the deal the colleges should be affordable, let the businesses that benifit from the research, sports,technology make the difference. Our disabled, our seniors, those who really are in need should get funded. Not the museums, or new art study. I make under 100,000 and a republican, right now the top 20% pay 80% of the taxes and the bottom 40% pay nothing. We are giving away the farm. And Yes I’m struggling, I want my country back from foreign owership and i want to stop giving money to those who don’t deserve it here and abroad.
Not having enough contributors goes back to what I was saying. A lot of big businessess is just that big business although there are some that do contribute there aren’t enough. When a CEO can make 17 million a year and then the company goes bye bye and leave the ones who need the job the most with nothing, taking their retirement and health care with it does not help our country. So those big tax incentives that the big businesses are getting should go to the small mom and pop businesses. That is what the country was founded on. Once the US stops catering to people of another countries and starts working from within we will always be upside down. But as always the ones who need it the most, the disabled, seniors, and the education system are always the ones who are cut first and are cut the most.
Whichever side of the aisle–
This is just in case you are not registered to vote, or know someone who is not,
Online voter registration and States’ registration deadlines
Mental Health America
‘Sorry about the length. ‘Thought this might be a helpful summary,
Issues and Proposals of Interest to Persons with Disabilities/Where do our candidates stand?
SPEAK (Support Providing Employees Association of Kentucky)
————————
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Choice Act of 2007 to provide equal access and resources for community services for persons eligible for institutional care, but who choose to remain in their homes and communities
Expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to increase access to health care for uninsured children living in households earning up to 3 times the federal poverty level
McCain Voted No
Obama Voted Yes
Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act of 2007 to create a national insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide cash benefits to adults who become disabled
McCain No Position
Obama Co-Sponsor
————————
HEALTH CARE
Expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to increase access to health care for uninsured children living in households earning up to 3 times the federal poverty level
McCain Voted No
Obama Voted Yes
Ending the Medicare Waiting Period (S. 2102) to eliminate the 2 year wait for Medicare Coverage for persons who become disabled and qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance
McCain No Position
Obama Co-Sponsor
————————
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 (S. 558) to require that health plans that provide medical and mental health coverage insure that mental health benefits are no more restrictive in deductibles or co-pays and no more limited in frequency or duration of services than medical benefits
McCain No Position
Obama Co-Sponsor
————————
AUTISM
Combating Autism Act of 2006 to require Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement a strategic plan for research, screening, intervention and education
McCain Co-Sponsor
Obama Co-Sponsor
Expanding the Promise to Individuals with Autism Act of 2007 to expand treatment, intervention and support services for individuals and families, to carry out research and demonstration programs, to expand training of professionals and to support protection, advocacy and legal services
McCain No Position
Obama Co-Sponsor
————————
EDUCATION
Fully funding through appropriations the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to provide the 40% federal support for free and appropriate education for students with disabilities as authorized in the original legislation
McCain Supports
Obama Supports
Higher Education Act (S. 1642) to expand opportunities and assistance to individuals with disabilities on post secondary and higher education
McCain No Vote
Obama Co-Sponsor
————————
RIGHTS
Restoration Act to revise ADA’s definition of disability to extend protections beyond restrictions imposed in recent Supreme Court rulings, especially for people whose impairments are fully or partially managed by medications or assistive devices
McCain Supports
Obama Supports
Help America Vote Act to ensure that all polling places and voting areas are physically accessible to persons with disabilities, that voting ballots and voting procedures are accessible, including non-visual accessibility for persons with visual impairments and that election officials and poll workers are trained in promoting access and participation of persons with disabilities
McCain Voted For
Obama Voted For
UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities to include the US in an international treaty recognizing human rights for persons with disabilities consistent with principles of dignity and freedom, non-discrimination, full participation, equality of opportunity, accessibility, gender equality and the right and capacity of children to develop
McCain No Position
Obama Supports US Ratification
————————–
This is not as clear cut as you would think. I went to the government site which will give the entire info on the bills, and some of the things that caused reps to vote against it, was that the language of the bill conflicted with the language of the law of social security. which the bill would draw from. I also know that the is caps and exclusions on schip and non on medicaid, schip also has a waiting period. In illinois the doctors that will take schip is much like medicaid. I’ll give you a example of special ed in illinois. Ill illinois would receive funding per student based on testing, as a result teachers spent time preping for test and not teaching, so they changed it to attendence. One of my children who had disabilities wouldn’t go to class, she wasn’t violent, didn’t do drugs, but would go to class, the school decided that she need to be in an alternative school (cost less to put her there than to loose the funding) however the altrenative school had arsonists, drug abusers, students with issues of violence and theft. She was threated like a criminal and it took me almost a year and moving to another school districi to get her out. University of chicago hospital recieved over 6.5 million dollars in earmarks from Obama in the last two years with the stipulation from the government 2 1/2 % will be given back in services for the uninsured. Michelle Obama who sits on the board of the hospital was given a raise after Obama was elected to the senate in 2005. She was making 127,000 and was raised to 327,000 just like that, the hospital decided after giving 1 1/2 % back that it was costing them too much and that the poor uninsured would be best served by finding treatment in their community instead of the hospitals er. Axelrod was brought in (Obama’s pr guy and friend) to sell it to the public and of course recieving money for his work. Welcome to Chicago politics.
Thanks, jaz, politics as usual……..are there any websites with information that might be useful to see on this?
Will do
here it is washingtonpost.com by Joe Stephens 8/22/08, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23796726/, ussenate.gov, http://www.jay1949wordpress.com/2008/08/26/mccain-versus-obama-the-earmarks-issue/, rueters.com obama biden earmarks. When looking at the voting record in the senate make sure you also look to see the objections and what has been attached to the bills (pork). Lynn sweet has a column in the Chicago Suntimes, which has a lot of articles on this, also cable has the senate and the house live. I highly doubt if there will be funding for anything in light of recent events
Thanks, jaz—–have been worrying about how recent events will, indeed, affect funding.
It seems to me that the candidate that is more inclined to help people with disabilites will be the same people who would support physical health as well.
Pro lifers who are oposed to stem cell research, (Palin)would rather see embryos destroyed than used to save lives. We could see an end to much disease, like diabetes that robs people of quality of life and life itself. If we were able to find cures for diseases with stem cell research we would have more resources to focus on other issues, like those already afflicted with autism.
Whomever the president that gets elected, they should force by federAl law, insurance companies to pay for the therapies such as speech, occupational and ABA. That would be a real solution for many of us that pay loads of money to private insurance and get nothing covered for our autistic kids.
We seem to be worried about what the Presidential candidates will do, but I wonder how many of us regularly keep in touch with legislation that has already been in the Congress for some time, and how that legislative body is authoring and considering the issues of interest to us?
Go to http://www.thomas.gov,
and type “autism” in the search engine. Currently there are 46 bills that come up. Some of them are window dressing, some are preludes for next steps, and some might actually make a substantive change, requiring only the signature of the Exec. if they could be passed.
Example,
Fairness in Autism Treatment Act of 2007 (Introduced in House)
HR 5028 IH
TEACH Act of 2007 (Introduced in House)
HR 2390 IH
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a refundable tax credit for education and training expenses relating to autism spectrum disorders to increase the number of teachers with such expertise.
S.937
Expanding the Promise for Individuals With Autism Act of 2007 (Introduced in Senate)
H.R.1881
Expanding the Promise for Individuals With Autism Act of 2007 (Introduced in House)
H. CON. RES. 303
Recognizing the importance of autism awareness, supporting efforts to increase funding for research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for individuals with autism .
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
(2) supports the goal of increasing Federal funding for aggressive research to learn the root causes of autism , identify those affected by the disorder, determine the best methods of early intervention and treatment, expand programs for individuals with autism across their lifespans, and promote understanding of the special needs of people with autism ;
Etc.
Don’t take my word for it, look at the bills, read the text and contact your representatives if there is legislation that you see in the best interest of your, and others’ children. If not, I believe that we should, as a community, be cultivating relationships with many policymakers and legislators, as well as groups who are advocating for overlapping goals of interest to our children. I realize that one advocacy organization is somewhat concerned with legislative issues beyond the vaccine controversy, but as long as so many are stuck there, I believe that is going to be down to individuals to act in our own and collective interest to keep in contact with our legislators and advocates if we want to be more than a single issue constituency and observers of events where we wish to see change, given that the wheels of progress already move too…too…slowly.
slowly but I think we can work on adding some grease.
AdvocateMom: “Most kids actually love it after they get used to it”
theasman: “We call that the stockholm syndrome”
I’m autistic, I’m the father of an autistic child and I’m an autism-specialist educational psychologist, and I have a couple things to say about this demonisation of applied behaviour analysis because of its association with what has to be a seriously crappy study by someone who I cannot see as being anything but ‘a real shit’.
I got through my Open University studies because the materials were based very clearly on Skinner’s idea of linear programmed instruction, which was derive from empirically-obtained data on how learning happens. AGA is – in and of itself – not the problem: it’s what people use it for that can be the problem. When ABA-validated teaching is used correctly and for the right reasons (i. e., not to turn an autistic child into an outwardly ‘non-autistic’ one), there is no problem; accusations of any Stockholm syndrome are as sensationalist in this case as the Turd’s claim of a 47% ‘recovery’ rate because of discrete-trial training. Sorry to have to out it this way but this is how I consider that sort of calling. When I was teaching mathematics to resit students, had it not been for the discrete-trial teaching method, many of the students would not have made it at all: let’s face it, the reason why they were there was because they did not – for whatever reason – pick up mathematical concepts at the same rate as their peers did but when shown things in simple, clear and smaller steps, their performance improved and they felt ‘less stupid’. This was a correct application of behaviour-analytic work: the use of behaviour-analytic techniques to teach eye-contact or to prevent stimming is an incorrect one.
This is not to say that I would approve of the sort of approaches in behaviour-analysis that are based on a very simplistic notion of what will act as a suitable reinforcer for the child… that’s one great way to piss a kid off with the thing used as the reinforcer (yes, there are studies on this). But I don’t believe in throwing babies out with bathwater either. I’ve used some aspects of behaviour-analytic methodology in working with my daughter, and I employ other aspects with students when I get to present courses I design.
ABA is not – in and of itself – torture; nor is it entirely useless. But it is not the be-all-and-end-all in teaching: there has to be account taken of the student’s own developmental level and developmental rate (Vygotsky has a lot to say on this, particularly in relation to the <Zone of Proximal Development)… it is useless, for example, to try to reinforce a behaviour that is not within easy ‘learning reach’ of the student (i. e., outwith the student’s ZPD) since it is as yet not within ‘learning reach’, and no amount of reinforcement will alter that (and, furthermore, continued reinforcement coupled with constant failure will almost certainly result in serious self-esteem loss, as well as discomfort otherwise, for the student concerned).
Just my two-penn’orth as the above credentials, as well as being a Visiting Lecturer in Autism Studies (educational psychology being my teachign subject when I do it) in a UK university.
I believe Josef Mengele had far more credentials than you to justify his torture
so take your letters like phd and shove them where the sun dont shine
“I believe Josef Mengele had far more credentials than you to justify his torture
so take your letters like phd and shove them where the sun dont shine”
You have a serious problem going on there. You seem to resent anyone successful in academic and professional pursuits, and that is what the autie-hate brigade pick up on… and use against us! You never thought that you might actually be wrong in thinking in such black-and-white terms? The world doesn’t work like that, and it’s time you got used to it.
And just because you obviously didn’t read what I wrote: I do NOT approve of anything that is used with the target of making a person who is autistic look like they’re not. But I DO approve of things that allow people to learn… proper sensible learning programmes, sensibly thought out, with frequent assessment of comprehension and application, providing feedback appropriately. And some of that is – almost by virtue of what education is – will be behaviourally oriented.
Now, theasman, do everyone a favour: if you want to be taken seriously in any sort of debate, you could try leaving your Mengele comparisons and your very unwarranted hatred at the door.
Otherwise, you won’t be giving yourself any credibility at all. And that will be your own bloody fault. Grow up.
David wrote:
Just wanted to reiterate that.
You reiterate that all you want doesnt make it true.
I am a successful professional. I was in the local paper that is seen by millions as an “Innovator”. I am asked by media about news stories in my uindustry and sometimes quoted. I give online and offline talks/presentations.
Just because I made the point that a phd doesnt make someone an ethical voice.
“You reiterate that all you want doesnt make it true.”
Neither does reiteration that ABA necessarily equals torture.
And the fact remains that ABA-validated techniques in and of themselves are not torture: however, what any individual practitioner makes of them and uses them for could fall within the definition of torture.
And if you cannot understand that, then you really aren’t so intelligent after all, that you could have a go at anyone for having higher qualifications.
I can’t comment on the ABA, I know nothing. With my son who has pdd his first word was mine at age 2 1/2 ( after his sister took away all his toys) and his and eye contact came when he got to high school. My brother however is middle aged and severely autistic and still no eye contact. I was lucky with my son, I had a doctor who recognized that he was special and early on we handled the vacinations well……. lets say differently than was required. As an infant he couldn’t keep anything down so he was given predigested protien formula which needed a prescription, he was in speech at 3 years of age and had him in occupational therapy 3x a week and I worked with him 2 hours a day every day until he was in sixth grade we gave him suppliments and we took away the bad carbs. In jr high we lost services and he stuggled, but we took him to a allergist, began allergy shots and there was an awakening. Although he still can’t see the the man on the face when the autumn moon is full and bright ( I understand that 48% of people can’t. make you wanna go humm…..) He is graduating next year with a degree in engineering. We were very very very blessed and lucky. I did want to comment on the stem cell issue. Europe has been trying to develope embryonic stem cells with no success for over 20 yrs. the reason being that although these stem cells can turn great things they have an equal chance of turning into cancer, with all the funding that they have been given they have not been able to control these cells. There has been great advances however with adult stem cells and embilical cord cells they have had better control with these cells. A 72 yr old man in England was given 2 wks to live so doctors took his own bone stem cells and shot it into his heart and it basicaly grew him a new heart figuratly speaking. there are two locations in the U.S. were drs. are taking patients own nasel stem cells from spinel cord injured patients and injecting it into the injured cord, with intense pt they’re seeing remarkable developements. Also there was a pbs show on nova called Ghost In The Genes In which it explored two Identical twins one was normal and the other was autistic FASCINATING!!! If you haven’t seen FIND IT and watch it. I do think very soon as autism, pdd. bipolor, etc…. grows and invades our families, neighbors, and friends and the realization comes that there is no one whom can escape from being touched by this tragedy, than the funding will come, because all of a sudden it becomes real personal when you think your kid or your future grandkid might be subject to this disorder.
Probably goes without saying, but just in case…
However you choose to vote–your vote is important!
Don’t forget to cast your ballot.
Best wishes and thanks for participating in the process. [smile]