Did John McCain confuse autism with Down syndrome?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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.