A coalition of autism advocacy groups issued a vigorous rebuke of the conspiracy theory-laden rhetoric Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been pushing about the disorder, saying his latest commentary “undermines respect for Autistic people.”
Thursday’s statement from six organizations, including the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Autism Society of America and Autism Speaks, does not mention the Health and Human Services’ secretary by name, but directly references his recent comments calling autism a “preventable disease” and an “epidemic.”
“We are deeply concerned by growing public rhetoric and policy decisions that challenge these shared principles,” the group’s statement said, noting that it’s essential that policymakers recognize that vaccines do not cause autism ― two things Kennedy has repeatedly linked without any supporting evidence ― and that people with autism deserve “respect and support.”
“Claims that Autism is ‘preventable’ is not supported by scientific consensus and perpetuate stigma,” the group said. “Language framing Autism as a ‘chronic disease,’ a ‘childhood disease’ or ‘epidemic’ distorts public understanding and undermines respect for Autistic people.”
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About a dozen more advocacy groups have endorsed the joint statement, which says they “stand united in our call for science-based decision-making and increased investment in the research, programs and services the Autism community needs to live fully.”
Kennedy has ramped up his talk of autism in recent days, saying a week ago that “by September we will know what has caused the autism epidemic,” disregarding that the disorder, which is not considered a disease, has been heavily researched worldwide for decades.
“We’ve launched a massive testing and research effort that’s going to involve hundreds of scientists from around the world. By September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and we’ll be able to eliminate those exposures,” he declared at a Trump Cabinet meeting.
And on Wednesday, Kennedy told reporters that “environmental toxins” were to blame for the increase in autism rates ― something experts in the field say is actually a result of improved diagnostics, a broadened definition of the disorder and increased awareness.
“This is a preventable disease. We know that it’s an environmental exposure. It has to be. Genes do not cause epidemics,” he claimed.
Autism advocates also called out Kennedy’s assessment of autistic individuals’ capabilities.
“These are kids who will never pay taxes. They’ll never hold a job. They’ll never play baseball. They’ll never write a poem. They’ll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted,” the health and human services secretary said on Wednesday.
“The idea that we only deserve support if we can prove our potential is one of the most dangerous and insidious forms of ableism,” Kalla Allen Omeiza, founder of a nonprofit centered on ending mental illness stigma, told a HuffPost reporter.