BY KATE KILPATRICK // With the economy and war being top concerns of the 2008 presidential race, Americans have demanded fewer answers from the candidates on issues like immigration, health care and gun control. So it came as a surprise on Wednesday night when special-needs children became a topic of discussion in the final debate between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain.

After a series of questions on domestic policy, moderator Bob Schieffer asked both candidates what makes their running mate more qualified than their opponent’s. In his response McCain cited Gov. Palin as a role model to women, a reformer who’s faced down the oil companies, and a breath of fresh air who will sweep out Washington’s old-boy network and cronyism.

“And by the way,” he added, “she also understands special-needs families. She understands that autism is on the rise. That we’ve got to find out what’s causing it, and we’ve got to reach out to these families and … give them the help they need as they raise these very special-needs children. She understands that better than almost any American I know.”

Palin’s youngest son Trig was born last year with Down’s syndrome.

Obama fired back by saying McCain’s support for an across-the-board spending freeze on government programs would make additional funding for autism research unlikely.

Regardless of the political motives that had the candidates talking about it on national TV, autism is a hot topic in the media. Numerous blogs and articles debate the link to vaccinations, and whether autistic children are better served by individual attention or being added to mainstream classrooms.

InEmeryville went to the Blue Sky Family Club at the EmeryBay Public Market and found several moms with strong opinions on the topic. Here’s what they had to say.