RFK JR Comments on attractive reactions to autism from parents and experts

Parents of children with autism speaking against new comments made by the Secretary of Health and Humanitarian Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said his statement about autism and vaccines strengthen dangerous stereotypes and ignores the diversity and potential of people in the autism spectrum.

“He spread fear and wrong information,” said Beth Hoffman, a mother based in Maryland of a 10 -year -old son with autism.

Hoffman said he was “angry and disturbed,” added that Kennedy’s comments about “Autism into an epidemic and chronic disease caused fallery and negative stigma.”

“I am sad for our country, the future of my son, and everyone with [a disability]”He said.

The attack follows the new one CDC Report Shows that the diagnosis of autism is increasing, affecting 1 in 31 children aged 8 years in the US in 2022. In the heel of the report, Kennedy on Wednesday announced the direction to the National Health Institute to investigate what he called the “environmental exposure” which he claimed could contribute to the increase in the diagnosis.

Medical professionals say the increase in diagnosis of autism is mostly due to better awareness and diagnosis, as well as expanding medical definitions that now include various wider people in the spectrum of autism.

Kennedy pushed back the idea that the diagnosis surge was possible due to an increase in awareness or a better diagnostic device, saying that explanation “could not be maintained.”

“Autism destroys the family, and more importantly, it destroys our biggest resources, namely our children,” he said at the HHS press conference in Washington, DC

Supporters of autism are disappointed to hear the characterization of Kennedy blankets from children with autism: “They will never pay taxes, they will never have a job, they will never play baseball, they will never write poetry, they will never date. Many of them will never use toilets without help.”

Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, is a spectrum, which means symptoms vary by people: some require a little support in their daily lives, and some may require a lot of support in carrying out daily activities. Some may have further conversation skills and others may be nonverbal.

The new CDC report, for example, estimates that less than 40% of children are diagnosed with autism in 2022 are classified as intellectual disability.

Parents speak

Holly Robinson Peete’s old autism and advocate for old autism responded to Kennedy’s comments on Wednesday with a pointed Video on Instagram.

“There are many things that must be dismantled,” he said in the video. “Autism is not a disease. This is a developmental disorder, and it is important to fix it.”

Peete, who had spoken broadly in the past about the diagnosis of his son’s autism RJ 25 years ago, noted that he had “examined and destroyed many ‘never’ from that list.”

Samantha Taylor, whose 20 -year -old son was also in the spectrum, echoing the frustration. “Unless you are the parents of a child with autism, you cannot start imagining what the trip is like,” he told GMA. “Saying that this is an epidemic and destroying the family is an insult for all people in the autism community.”

Taylor also shared additional thoughts in the previous Thursday Facebook post, writing, “Autism does not destroy the family. You know what is done? Inaccurate information is ratified as science.”

Alexis and Richard Brown, parents for twins aged 15 years with autism, told GMA that they were discouraged to Kennedy’s statement. “RFK has a lot of courage which states that autism ruins our lives,” said Alexis Brown.

Alexis Brown, who has served in the Gentry Foundation Council for Autism since 2016, added, “Autism is a very broad spectrum, and it is not an epidemic. Our children play sports, are members of the National Junior Honor Society, have never served as junior instructors at Jujitsu Black Belt Club and conduct crossfit.

Experts ask for further research

Experts on the field echo a lot of concerns voiced by parents.

“We are very pleased with the interest of Secretary Kennedy at autism,” said Tom Frazier, professor of psychology at John Carroll University and the chairman of the council at Autism Speaks, a non -profit autism awareness organization. “But we must ensure this research is focused on the needs of autistic people and their families, and that we do not re -create the research that has been done.”

Frazier pushed back to the large generalization shared by Kennedy, noting various abilities throughout the spectrum of autism.

Frazier, whose son is in the spectrum, said, “My child might never be dating, but there are other autistic people who are very successful socially and are assets that cannot be trusted for the world. This is a spectrum, and I think [Kennedy] It may have spoken to some people like my child, but his statement does not make sense and does not reflect the diversity of autistic experiences. “

He also stressed the importance of collective progress. “Autism lacks funds relative to unusual conditions, and with 3.2% of children identified by autism, we need more support, more revenue and types of research are appropriate.”

Christopher Banks, President and CEO of Autism Society of America, a national charity organization dedicated to improve individual life on the autism spectrum, also burden, urged public leaders to ground their messages in current science and respect the community.

“This report quotes that the increase in the prevalence of autism, from 1 in 36 in 2020 to 1 in 31 in 2022, can reflect progress in awareness, increased access to screening and diagnosis, and also strengthen urgent needs for strong research, based on science to better understand autism,” said Banks “GMA.” “Autism is a life disability for life that affects people from all backgrounds. The claim that autism is ‘prevented’ or definitively caused by ‘environmental poisons’ is not supported by current research.”

Bank -bank also warned of the fushing of autism through a tragedy or fear lens and emphasized the importance of preserving access to important programs.

“A more inclusive system, such as a strong Medicaid coverage, leads to previous identification and access to services,” he said. “This data clarifies the need for universal screening, trained child providers and fair care.”

Mary Kekatos and Sony Salzman contributed to this report.