What Do Special-Needs Kids Actually Need?
Posted by Hannah Tennant-Moore at 10:02 AM on September 11, 2008
At the Republican National Convention, Sarah Palin promised “the
parents of special-needs children all across this country” that, if elected vice-president, she would be their
advocate. Since this is an issue that has not come up in any other presidential
election, many Americans don’t know what Palin’s promise entails. What exactly,
Slate asks, do parents need in order to help care for their special-needs children?
Babies like Trig (pictured), who has Down syndrome, don’t really need
special care; they just need baby care for a longer period of time than other
children since their development is slower. For instance, many babies with Down
syndrome don’t walk or sit up on their own until they are two.
Breastfeeding–which is strongly encouraged for mothers of
babies with Down syndrome–is more difficult, since babies like Trig frequently
fall asleep and have less control of the muscles in their mouths. And frequent doctor visits are required throughout the childhood
of all special-needs children, as well as regular physical therapy and
pre-speech sessions.
Hmmm, think Palin will support universal healthcare?
Photo: USA Today
Any or all of the following: speech pathology, physiotherapy, behaviour support, occupational therapy, medical support, surgical intervention, money for splints/stands/prostheses/wheelchairs/ hoists, money for adaptive technology like switches, voice output devices, and the like. Money to modify houses to make them accessible. And then there’s the social stuff, like access to respite care, accessible public transport, quality education, post school options, supported employment and the like.
My guess is that Sarah Palin has no idea. One day she will have some idea, but she will never have a clue what it is like to be poor, or single and have to self fund a lifetime of care for somebody who will never be independent in mobility or self care.