Tim Walz: Candidate Impact on the Neurodiverse Community

About Tim Walz

Before becoming Governor of Minnesota in 2019, Tim Walz served as an educator at Mankato (MN) West High School for nearly twenty years before moving into elective office. From there Governor Walz served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Minnesota’s First Congressional District from 2007 until leaving office in 2019.  

After Governor Walz was added to the Vice Presidential ticket with Kamala Harris, NBC News TODAY reported a feature piece about his son Gus—who was diagnosed with a non-verbal learning disorder, along with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 

We have the utmost respect to Governor Walz on raising a neurodiverse child.  

Congressional Voting Record on Autism

From researching the Congressional voting records, it is best to say then-Congressman Walz was mixed on his record on special education and Autism.  

• ❌ Congressman Walz refused to co-sponsor The Defending Special Education Students and Families Act of 2017 that would have granted full IDEA Act Part B Funding.  This bill was sponsored by former Congressman and now Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D).
• ❌ Congressman Walz refused to co-sponsor The Global Brain Health Act of 2017  that would help teach educators to effectively deal with students that have Autism and other neurodiverse related conditions. 
• ❌ Congressman Walz failed to vote on the IMPROVE Act that would have given states the ability to better administer Medicaid benefits to individuals with severe Autism Spectrum Disorder.  
• ✅ Congressman Walz voted YES for Kevin and Avonte’s Law of 2016 that would provide funding for local and state governments relating to missing individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer’s.  
• ✅ Congressman Walz voted YES  for the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016  that would improve mental health access to individuals with neurodiversities.  
• ✅ Congressman Walz voted YES for the bipartisan AUTISM CARES Act of 2014 that funds federal research on Autism.  
• ❌ Congressman Walz refused to co-sponsor  the Autism Services and Workforce Acceleration Act of 2014 that was sponsored by Congressman Matt Cartwright (D-PA).

Autism Acceptance Month

Governor Walz was also condemned by retired special education teacher Dawn Kovacovich of Bemidji, Minnesota over the wording of a 2023 World Autism Acceptance Month proclamation. Kovacovich wrote an op-ed in the Minneapolis Star Tribune blasting the Walz Administration for changing the 2023 resolution from Autism Awareness Month to Autism Acceptance Month.  

One excerpt of the 2023 resolution read:

Minnesota affirms the values of equity and inclusion of autistic people as part of the vibrant and diverse make-up of Minnesota’s communities. Minnesota recognizes the intersectional identities of people with autism and the rich and diverse community and culture that is built around their lived experiences; and Minnesota acknowledges the limits of asking for awareness and promotes and celebrates the acceptance and appreciation of people with autism as the next step beyond awareness. Minnesota acknowledges that although this celebration of autistic culture and community provides a starting point, that there remains significant room for progress towards equitable access and inclusion for all Minnesotans with autism.”- Governor Tim Walz’s 2023 proclamation for Autism Acceptance Month.  

Kovacovich responded in her op-ed published by the Star Tribune:

His (Gov. Walz’s) statement reflects a clear lack of understanding and dismissiveness toward the approximately 50% of individuals (and their families) who suffer with what can be an extremely debilitating developmental disorder. Many longtime AUSM (Autism Society of Minnesota) members do not share their current position and philosophy regarding autism “acceptance.”

By stating that “you shouldn’t try to fix people who aren’t broken,” AUSM is not acknowledging that for 40-50% of autistic people, autism is a very serious, devastating condition. These individuals are left out of the conversation because they cannot typically speak for themselves and their family members are discounted if they speak on behalf of them. The flawed logic is like saying we should “accept” blindness or deafness or any other disability because there is no cure and many of these people live very fulfilling lives if they are simply accepted.

Kovacovich also advocated the National Council on Severe Autism’s stance that there should be a separation between individuals with high functioning Autism and those with profound or severe Autism.  

Key Takeaways

If the Harris-Walz ticket fails to be elected in November, Governor Walz can still support the Autism community in his home state of Minnesota. 

The North Star State was only partially meeting federal special education standards in 2024. Minnesota met federal standards for Part B of the IDEA Act for students with  disabilities ages three to twenty one years old. Minnesota was ranked as needing assistance for two straight years for failing to meet Part C standards of the IDEA Act for students at birth to age two. 

Minnesota faces the threat of federal intervention if they do not meet IDEA Act Part C standards for the third year in a row in 2025. Governor Walz should use his background as a teacher to get Minnesota to improve compliance with the IDEA Act.