My Autism Insights

AP Photo by Charles Dharapak - notice how McCain Still refuses to look at Obama!

My decision was not swayed after watching last night’s debate, but I gained a bit of insight into John McCain that was a bit disturbing.  I am even more concerned than ever about that man getting into the top office of this country for two reasons.

Although the debate was supposed to be about foreign policy, there was no way to avoid at least some discussion of our domestic economy.  When pressed on the issue of what would have to be foregone from his plans in light of the proposed bailout, John McCain’s response was that there should be a freeze on spending except for veterans, the military, and institutions like Medicare.  No mention whatsoever about people with special needs or children or pretty much anyone else in the country in need of support.  One reason this bothers me is that his running mate vowed to make families of people with special needs a priority.  Did McCain not get her memo?

I look at his reaction as having one of two causes.  Either it was an emotional reaction and he didn’t really mean it as drastically as he made it sound, or he totally meant it and never intended to support individuals with special needs in the first place.  Whichever way you look at it, it’s a problem.

Let’s say he was just experiencing a knee-jerk moment - it happens to the best of us under pressure, right?  That doesn’t make it the best way to deal with a situation.  His blanket spending freeze would be akin to me saying to my family, “Okay, we’re spending too much in this house, so going forward, that’s it - no more spending!”

“But Mommy, what about food?”

“Start rationing out those hot dogs and suck it up!”

Not the most practical solution.  And while it’s a big enough mistake for me to have those kids of periodic emotional overreactions with my family, it’s way worse for the leader of a country to not be able to hold himself in check, take a breath, and make a more rational decision.

Now suppose he wasn’t being emotional and overreacting.  I’m not sure if IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) funding falls into the same category as Medicare.  If not, without that funding, it will be even harder to get services for our special needs children than it already is.  That’s not looking out for special needs.  That’s kicking us right in the butt.  Clearly this is not an issue of particular value to him.

My other major concern about McCain’s performance last night was the fact that he didn’t look at Senator Obama once during the entire 90 minutes.  As anyone with a child with autism knows, lack of eye contact is one of the first markers in diagnosing the condition, so I know a bit about it after seven years.  Not only did he refuse to make eye contact, he wouldn’t even look in Obama’s direction.  His body language was rude, juvenile, dismissive, angry, and completely inappropriate for someone wanting to lead a nation.   My five year old refuses to look at someone when she’s angry at them.  I would not put her in the president’s office to deal with foreign leaders.  If he can’t bring himself to look at his opponent during a debate, how the heck is he going to conduct himself with other world leaders?  I read a great post the other day about eye contact in public speaking at the Communication Exchange .  I’m curious to see how Patricia reacts to the debate.

So, I am now convinced more than ever that if McCain is elected, support for individuals with special needs is going to dry up despite a promise to the contrary, and the security of the country is going to be even shakier than ever.  But that’s just me.  Maybe I just don’t really understand, like McCain repeatedly tried to convince us Obama doesn’t.  I think McCain’s the one who lacks understanding.  Your thoughts?

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