Newsmaker panel sees autism as 2016 election issue

John Donvan and Caren Zucker, authors of the current New York Times bestseller, "In A Different Key: The Story of Autism," described a little-understood voting block that over time has succeeded in getting individuals with autism out of institutions and into schools at a Feb. 17 National Press Club Newsmaker. Next on its list: more support for adults with autism, the authors said.

Donvan, a television correspondent for ABC, also serves as the host and moderator of the Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates, which are heard on public radio and by podcast. Zucker is a television producer who has reported on a broad range of subjects, including autism, for both ABC and PBS. Both journalists have close family members with autism.

Donvan told the Club audience that “Hillary Clinton may be the first presidential candidate out of the gate” with an autism platform but she will likely not be the last. "The autism community will be hard to ignore."

Three million American families now include a member on the autism disorder spectrum, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These organized and politically active families seek reform in social services, housing, healthcare, education and insurance policies, especially for adults with autism, the authors said.

According to Donvan, within the autism community a debate is raging over who is autistic. He also said there is a split over seeking a “cure” or instead gaining acceptance for individuals who are neurologically different?

John Elder Robison (who is on the autism spectrum) and is the neuro-diversity scholar in-residence at The College of William & Mary joined Donvan and Zucker.

Neuro-diversity is no different than racial diversity or ethnic diversity, according to Robison.

“We’re all humans and we’re all equal. We autistics have been marginalized,” he said. “We are now speaking out for acceptance and equality.”

“We need support and services as people – not as cripples,” Robison added.

This Newsmaker news conference was sponsored in conjunction with the Club’s Book & Author Committee.