Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has openly shared that he and his wife used fertility treatments to have their two children, a topic that deeply resonated with attendees during a rally in Glendale, Arizona, where the crowd chanted the name of their firstborn, Hope. The positive reception to this discussion echoes the support Vice President Kamala Harris received when announcing her running mate, receiving backing across the spectrum of the Democratic Party, including moderates, progressives, and even former conservative Democrat Senator Joe Manchin.
Additionally, the Walz family has garnered attention for their candid discussions about their son, Gus, who gained recognition following a feature in People magazine discussing his nonverbal learning disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, making him doubly neurodiverse.
However, simply having a neurodivergent son is not a reason for praise; many parents have propagated harmful ideas regarding neurodiversity, including unfounded claims about vaccines causing autism. What distinguishes the Walz family’s narrative is their commitment to helping Gus lead a fulfilling life without attempting to change who he is.
As noted by the Child Mind Institute, nonverbal learning disorder affects nonverbal learning abilities, such as recognizing patterns or grasping concepts in language and math, often leading to confusion with autism spectrum traits. Recently, comedian Chris Rock revealed he received a diagnosis after being misidentified as being on the autism spectrum by a friend.
In contrast to a past focus on “fixing” neurodivergent individuals, the Walzes noted they recognized that Gus was different from his classmates and preferred solitary activities like gaming. Instead of emphasizing his challenges, his parents celebrated his strengths and highlighted that he is “brilliant,” detail-oriented, and a loving son and brother.
It is refreshing to see the Walzes avoiding the urge to compel Gus to be more sociable, a temptation that can be especially challenging for a family involved in politics. Their positive focus on Gus’s abilities marks a progressive shift in perspective. In stark contrast, past approaches included punitive measures, such as withholding food from children diagnosed with ADHD.
The Walz family’s straightforward love and acceptance of Gus may seem unremarkable, but that is precisely the point. Every child, regardless of whether they are neurodivergent or neurotypical, deserves unconditional love, encouragement to celebrate their strengths, and support to thrive.
Governor Walz is also actively working to improve conditions for people with disabilities, having initiated the phase-out of parental fees for children on Medicaid, which will ease the financial strain on families. Minnesota is known for its strong support programs for those with disabilities, including the Partners in Policymaking initiative to empower families to become better advocates. Additionally, Harris was the first presidential candidate to release a disability policy during the 2020 Democratic primary.
While the Walzes’ approach is not without flaws—they have referred to Gus’s “condition” as a “secret power,” which could undermine the real support he may need—there is significant progress in their recognition of his strengths and potential, such as aspirations for obtaining a driver’s license. With their heightened visibility, the Walz family can serve as an inspiring example for parents of children with developmental disabilities, promoting the joys of embracing rather than trying to change their children.