I think certain professions really provide a window into America's families: education, social work, and law enforcement. And often, all three professions, at various times, will interact with the same population.

This is my third year working with children with autism. You may well have read that it's a spectrum disorder, meaning it affects its population with a fairly broad range of behaviors. Some of the kids are non-verbal, with profound cognitive deficits. Many will never live independently. On the other end of the spectrum, there are children who largely appear quite typical though they may have social deficits, impulse control, or some other challenge. And there are many kids somewhere between these poles. 

I've thought a lot about the trajectory that many children's lives will probably take. And I think about the parents, and how present life can be extraordinarily difficult, and as the kids age, and we're mostly talking about boys, aggressive behavior can occur, and it can get scary for the teachers and parents alike. And worrying about what the future holds for their children must weigh heavily. Similarly, other non-autistic children come through school with physical and cognitive disabilities. I've thought a lot about what are society's obligations for all of these children both now, and, well, until they die, and I think our obligation is enormous. But if you don't work with these kids, or if you don't have them in your family or in your life, you largely aren't aware of them. They, like so many people with disabilities, are largely invisible to the public, and I think most people prefer it that way. If you aren't aware of the problem, well, why fund the programs and facilities that a humane society should provide. And some surely wouldn't part with their money even if they were aware. 

Over the last few weeks, the Boston Globe has done some fine investigative reporting on the challenges facing the many group homes in the state. Autistic children and adults have experienced violence by staff members. And all too often, these homes are underfunded, understaffed, and lacking in proper supervision. To adequately provide for this most vulnerable of populations requires a sustained commitment by government, and that means providing adequate financial resources. The indifferent libertarians, the hardhearted 'Don't Tread on Me" types, the small government crowd will largely be blissfully ignorant of this suffering, but once you are aware of it, you must realize that budgets simply cannot be balanced on the backs of these long-suffering human beings. 

Peter T.