Did John McCain confuse autism with Down syndrome?

John McCain mentioned special-needs and autistic children more than once in last night's final presidential debate.

And he noted that his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, would "understand what it's like to have an autistic child."

Except that Palin doesn't have an autistic child. Her youngest son has Down syndrome.

OMG! Does McCain not know the difference? Gotcha!

No, no he's not senile. He just didn’t clarify that Sarah’s older sister, Heather, has an autistic son, age 13.

Also, two of her cousins in her extended family have children with autism/Asperger's.

McCain created some controversy recently by saying at a town hall meeting that there is “strong evidence” that mercury in vaccines causes autism.

What do you think about McCain using the special-needs kids in Sarah Palin’s family as a vote getter? Do you think it will make autism activist Jenny McCarthy vote for him? Bet Amanda Peet (spokeswoman for a vaccine advocacy group) won't be voting Republican now.

And what do you think about his mercury/autism statement?

Photo credit: Getty Images

Comments

[Chas Holman]

I had no idea Palins family had so many disabled people in her family line. Bad genes?

[Sullivan]

It did come across as targeting the vaccine/autism crowd. Why not be more general and discuss all of the disability community?

His earlier mercury comment had the ring of quoing some special interest group without researching their claims.

Either way, this autism parent made up his mind to vote Obama last night.

[Rozagy]

I am a professional successful female diagnosed with Asperger's and I have 2 son, one also diagnosed with Asperger's. Both were vaccinated but only one is autistic. I myself was not vaccinated nor was my father (who also had Asperger's). What does it mean to me about the vaccines and Autism? That there is no link. Autism is genetic and people who are obsessing over mercury in vaccines and autism link are so scared of what they don't understand, they are clutching at straws. My suspicion is it's the parents who passed the genes onto their children, not that vaccines had caused them. And knowing myself and many other people on the autism spectrum: we get obsessed with stuff! It's just so happened that some parents of autistic kids (who I suspect are also themselves on the spectrum) got obsessed with the wrong thing and can't let go of this wrong vaccines/autism theory. I say, those parents need to learn about the positives of autism and start supporting their kids in the areas they struggle and encourage the development of strengths they have.

[Jennifer Wescoe]

Okay, I am SO glad that someone else heard this. I thought I was going crazy. At first, I thought it was an accident. After thinking it, I feel it is quite possible that McCain knew exactly what he was doing by "confusing" the two.

[Nancy]

He said, "she knows what it is like to have an Autistic child." He did screw up. She, personally, does not raise a child with autism. I have friends with autistic chidren but I do not claim to be an expert on raising them. Now he's using autism! Makes me sick.

[Robin H. Morris]

It is not about confusing Autism with Down Syndrome. It is about highlighting the "disease du jour" for political gain. There is money in autism these days.
Whether it is the snake oil peddlers, shock jocks, actors, comedians or politicians; autism is a stepping stone for public attention and yes, sales.

[CW]

Did anyone ever notice autism runs mostly in boys. So if mercury was the culprit, why not girls.

[Terry]

Well at least I understand Sarah a bit better now...I mean, what her problem is.

[Jayne]

All John McCain meant by that remark is that Sarah would "understand" the trials and tribulations families go through with special needs kids. There is absolutely no help or money or programs in the public schools to help these kids. You have no idea what these families and kid's lives are like!

[midwestmidwife]

I feel that McCain did confuse the issue. I have read the transcripts to be sure in what context those comments were made. He said that Sarah Palin knew better than most about autism. That is like saying because I drive a car, I am a mechanical whiz! Also, a note on vaccines. I have 4 children. My 12 year old daughter has Asperger's Syndrome(autistic spectrum disorder) She was the last child we vaccinated. She had a severe reaction to MMR- 106' fever, projectile vomitting, then detatchment and delay in speech that are hallmarks of aspies. While it is true that autism appears to have a genetic link, there are tendencies in my family..I think you can not discount that vaccines additives (at the time mercury laden preservatives) exacerbated the tendency in my daughter. She definitely underwent a personality change and detatchment.

[miller1]

Has Sarah Palin ever done anything in her political career for those with special needs? I have hard that she has cut a whole heck of a lot of funding- that's about it. Sad that McCain is grabbing at straws and trying to grab on to anything he can - very disrespectful to those in the special needs community as he also wats an across the board spending freeze

[Kathy Blanco]

Not that Downs is not pertinent to be concerned about, but todays figures on autism, some states being 1-67 far outreaches the DOWNS numbers. However, I feel by some same mechanisms this dual problem in our children are brought about by oxidatively stressed parents, who may have been vaccinated, and or exposed to chemicals and pesticides. Vaccines contain both of those things. I am glad McCain is concerned, and I am glad Palin is also...and I believe she doesn't differntiate between DOWNS and AUTISM, since comorbidity of those conditions exist in families. IT is time however to have more transparancy in NIH and CDC and have them audited to find conflicts of interests in their research, instead of throwing money at these organizations who's only wish is to cover up what they have done to these kids, poison them. This is because they have ties with pharmaceutical industries. When was the last time CDC or NIH cured a disease, ask that big question! I only wish they would apoint parents to their scientific board, which would identify ioatragenic agents that are causing this...then, and only then we will all get the answers to autism, Lyme Disease, cancer, MS, and AIDS

[Rita Johnson]

If I had a special needs child I'd be enraged. Where have Palin and McCain been before now? They are using the special needs issue as a banner in hopes of getting to the White House.

[Kelly]

to: Sullivan - please remember that autism/ADD/ADHD/add your behavioral disorder here/ causes are not all grounded 100% in vaccine toxins. Those same toxins are present/hidden in many forms of our lives. The increased pesticide use has now been linked to Parkinsons, food additives such as msg, dyes are linked to a number of disorders. Aspartame consumption is linked to central nervous system problems. Obviously you are of an age of few/little vaccines and may be the reason you survived a full-blown autism diagnosis.

Kelly

[Christine]

The interesting thing about relating Sarah Palin's "struggle" with a special needs child to those with special needs children in school, is that she really hasn't met those challenges yet. Trig is 6 months old and very little is different at this time in his life. Yes, there will be challenges ahead but to say Sarah Palin understands that yet, discounts the real struggle faced by parents with real needs. The way that her child has been used as a campaign ploy is horrible. The poor child has been on the campaign trail for weeks now, at a time when hours a day should be dedicated to ensuring that Trig has all the physical and mental stimulation he needs to develop into a competent and capable individual.

Vote for Trig but never for his mother!!! A leader such as her would divide and destroy our country.

[Dawn]

I totally agree with Christine ( above ). Poor little Trig should be at home in Alaska, not being dragged around state to state, city to city. That's just crazy. It doesn't say much for her as a mother to be using her special needs baby this way. I have a grandson with Autism, and I take offense to the fact that McCain is using this as a campaign ploy. By the way, I don't claim to know more than most about Autism. After all, it is a Spectrum disorder, and each child is different.

[Michelle]

"Bad Genes", Really? Haven't the autism community been screaming loud enough that autism is not just a gene issue. Much like downs isn't a genes issue either. Grow up people! Get a clue and some compassion for people not considered "typical" and realize that all people are blessings. I'm glad that FINALLY the canidates are talking about autism in this election. It is the biggest epidemic since polio and it is about time we get some answers!

[Lisiesmom]

He did not confuse autism with Down syndrome and he wasn't highlighting the "disease du jour." The mistake John McCain made was not explaining himself and the comment in question. Sarah Palin's sister has a teenager with autism, and two of her cousins have children with autism as well.

[Ben's Dad]

Glad you caught this. Nice to know Palin's background, but I think McCain goofed.

McCain also said something to the affect that we need accountability more than funding. To me that indicates that McCain has NO IDEA what the autism curve looks like and what the growing needs are not only for reseach and education, but for adult services.

Also, McCain's focus on mercury in vaccines dates his knowledge and awareness of key issues. Its not just the mercury that needs to be studied further, its the things that replaced mercury, the quantity of vaccines required, the scheadule, and the mindset that can lead a state like NJ to mandate the flu shot for all kids in day care. Having just returned from NJ's Vaccine Choice rally in Trenton, I am more convinced than ever that vaccine safety needs to move up higher in everyones issues list, because adding more vaccines to the schedule has become a "may as well" routine, while following expected safety testing protocols (such as using control groups) remains an excercise in "why bother".

As to Sullivans suggestion that autism parents stop obsessing about the wrong things and start supporting their children, I would just like to say that there are a great number of autism parents concerned about vaccines who that it is too late for their kids, but not too late for the the 1 in 60 boys in NJ who follow.

This autism dad is also for Obama.

[Jessica]

Anyone who doesn't believe in flu shots for kids should watch:
www.youtube.com/cdcflu

[Dave from Minnesota]

McCain's abuse of his running mate's baby is sickening. At the debate, I thought he'd soon wheel the infant out and beg for votes. He and Palin are shameless.

[britt]

Regardless of whether McCain had named the wrong diagnosis, or forgotten to clue us in to the links to autism in Palin's family, here is my belief:
1) Bringing it up in the way that he did is exploitative.
2) It still doesn't mean she knows "more than most" about autism, or that she "knows more than almost any american" about it.

This is insulting and a clear attempt to exploit the situation for political gain.

Despicable.

[Natasha]

Palin may have a down syndrome child, and an autistic nephew, but does she realize that her running mate is one of the few politicians that voted against Head Start and other important early education programs that help these kids succeed? Its really annoying to hear McCain speak like he is so in tune with this cause when many of his politics hurt social security, and educational programs that are so important to many on the spectrum.

Obama 08!

[tuchniat]

At least the blunder was explained and that is fine, we all screw up and the rest of us should extend him some grace. However, he did imply that Palin knows all about this stuff and she doesn't. She will, but she doesn't right now when her son is an infant. She doesn't yet know what it's like arguing with insurance companies about covering evaluations but not therapies. She hasn't yet been to an IEP and struggled to get more help for her son. The medical funding needs to be there, the school funding needs to be there and right now, it isn't. McCain will do little to change the insurance piece (having to shop across state lines, I have enough on my plate!) and little to do with putting more money into the already short-changed "No Child Left Behind" program (which he'll probably freeze funding, or at least additional funding.) This Autism mom is voting for Obama.

[Mark Neiner]

Bad genes? If you have dandruff, tooth decay, body odor, halitosis, let alone diabetes, or heart disease, you have bad genes.