Tim Walz's son Gus has a learning disorder. Could his visibility benefit Americans with disabilities?

 CHICAGO – When Jessica Anacker was in junior high, a teacher removed her from English class after she was bullied due to her learning disability. Instead of addressing the bully, the teacher “blamed me for being bullied,” Anacker recalled.

Anacker responded, “It’s your job to take care of it.” Now, as president of the Texas Democrats With Disabilities caucus and a delegate at this week's Democratic National Convention, she is encouraged that such issues may soon receive attention at the highest levels of government.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who is Kamala Harris's vice-presidential running mate, has openly discussed his 17-year-old son Gus, who has ADHD, a non-verbal learning disorder, and an anxiety disorder. Both Walz and his wife, Gwen, former teachers, stated in a recent interview with People magazine that they never viewed Gus’s conditions as obstacles.

“Like so many American families, it took us time to figure out how to ensure Gus would be set up for success as he grew up,” they said. “What became immediately clear was that Gus’s condition is not a setback — it’s his secret power.”

During Walz’s acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, Gus watched from the audience with his mother and sister, Hope, becoming emotional. “Hope, Gus, and Gwen – you are my entire world, and I love you,” Walz expressed, prompting Gus to spring from his seat and say, “I love you, Dad.”

Advocates for individuals with learning disabilities believe that the Walz family's openness about their son will increase visibility for others facing similar challenges. Zoe Gross, director of advocacy for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, noted that when political figures discuss disability issues candidly, it encourages others to share their experiences.

“It’s beneficial for society to have these conversations about disability, just as we do with any marginalized group,” she said.

In a clear indication of the campaign's commitment to disability rights, Gwen Walz made a surprise appearance at a meeting of disability advocates during the convention. While she did not mention Gus, she emphasized her husband’s belief that “every student and every person deserves a chance to get ahead.”

Walz is not the first vice-presidential nominee to have a child with a disability. Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican nominee, has a son, Trig, who has Down syndrome, and Amy Coney Barrett, a Supreme Court Justice, also has a son with Down syndrome.

In their statement, Tim and Gwen Walz remarked on Gus's unique abilities, noting his preference for video games and solitary activities during childhood. As a teenager, they learned he had ADHD, which affects millions worldwide and can be managed with appropriate treatment.

Anacker, representing Texas at the Democratic convention, stressed the importance of having advocates for those with ADHD and other learning disabilities in positions of power. As someone who is neurodivergent and faces challenges such as a speech impediment and dysgraphia, she recalled moments of frustration in school, highlighting the difficulties of securing employment due to a lack of accommodations for her disabilities.

Regardless of the election outcome, advocates hope that the needs of Americans with disabilities will gain priority in the next administration. Groups like Gross’s advocate for expanded home and community-based services through Medicaid, which are urgently needed, along with better employment services and a federal ban on the use of seclusion or restraints in schools.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a veteran and disability advocate, expressed that Walz’s openness will benefit all individuals with disabilities. “For too long, disability was a hidden issue, but we need to normalize disability in society,” she stated.

By discussing his son’s experiences during the campaign, Walz is already shining a light on ADHD and learning disabilities, which advocates appreciate. “We love our Gus,” Tim and Gwen Walz said. “We are proud of the man he’s growing into, and we are excited to have him with us on this journey.”