Health
Advocates, Families Push Back Against RFK Jr.’s ‘Dehumanizing’ Comments on Autism
People with autism, their families and advocates are speaking out after U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promised to find the cause of the “autism epidemic” by September.
New research shows an increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism — up from 1 in 36 in 2020, to 1 in 31 in 2022. According to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, the rate of diagnosis in adults ages 26 to 34 increased by 450% from 2011 to 2022.
Autism experts say the increases in cases are a sign of broader diagnosis criteria that includes mild cases.
“About 80% of this increase is caused by broader diagnostic criteria, better access to doctors and earlier diagnosis,” said Peter Penzes, director of the Center of Autism and Neurodevelopment at Northwestern University. “But there’s about 20% which is not explained by this.”
Kennedy has made baseless claims that autism is a “preventable disease” that keeps children from carrying on in society and having fulfilling lives. In a speech last week, the secretary claimed kids with autism will “never pay taxes, hold a job,” play sports or participate in the arts.
His comments sparked outrage within the autism community, from advocates, experts and parents.
“Many people in this community have been fighting back their whole lives to prove people wrong about what they’re capable of, and to have this rhetoric coming out of our country’s leaders saying what they cannot do at the highest level is so dehumanizing,” said Kristyn Roth, chief marketing officer of Autism Society of America. “It’s incredibly upsetting.”
A number of autism organizations released a joint statement calling for “science-based decision-making and increased investment in the research, programs and services the autism community needs to live fully.”
Roth said federal funding cuts have contributed to reducing support for autism research across the country.
“It is incredibly important to point out that this administration has significantly threatened the autism community’s existing infrastructure in terms of supports and services with the slashing cuts to HHS, the dismantling of the Department of Education, the threats to Medicaid, which is literally a life-saving program for so many people in the autism community, and the dismantling of the Association for Community Living,” Roth said. “All of this is creating a fractured support system that was already struggling under the weight of need.”
Kennedy claims children become exposed to autism at a young age due to environmental factors. However, several studies discovered genetic factors contribute to autism. Scientists are adamant not to classify autism as a disease but rather a complex disorder that affects the brain.
On a number of occasions Kennedy has also said vaccines cause autism, despite that claim being debunked. To assist with his search for the reason behind the uptick in diagnoses, Kennedy hired David Geier to research vaccines and autism. The state of Maryland previously fined Geier for practicing medicine without a medical degree or license and prescribing dangerous treatments to autistic children.
Kennedy has yet to disclose any concrete plans on what course of action will be taken.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has spent more than $300 million researching autism. There are several methods used to diagnose autism. Penzes said if the criteria to diagnosis is opened up too much, and if “anybody can make a diagnosis, then you’ll get incorrect numbers.”
Penzes believes that moving forward there should be a reassessment on how funds for autism research are allocated and people should remain cautious about new approaches.
