In his inaugural news conference as head of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. labelled the increasing rates of autism as a “preventable” epidemic linked to environmental toxins. This assertion has met significant backlash from autism advocates, who contend that such a perspective is harmful and misleading. They argue that autism is a multifaceted condition primarily influenced by genetic factors.
Experts, including those from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), attribute the rising autism prevalence to improved understanding and enhanced screening processes rather than an actual increase in cases. Recent CDC findings highlight the increased diagnoses alongside better access to identification services for previously underserved populations.
Kennedy has characterised those who accept the conventional explanations as “epidemic deniers” and called for urgent action, insisting that the surge in autism prevalence cannot merely be dismissed as a result of better diagnostic practices. He likened the situation to a measles outbreak, advocating for immediate data collection and response, echoing concerns from Dr. Walter Zahorodny from Rutgers University, who described the autism increase as an urgent public health crisis that merits serious investigation into its causes.
During the press conference, Kennedy indicated that future autism research would fall under a new division of the Administration for Healthy America. He vowed to initiate studies to pinpoint specific environmental factors contributing to autism, proposing alternatives to the genetic focus that he regards as unproductive. He identified potential culprits such as mould, pesticides, and medical interventions, asserting that while genetics can indicate susceptibility, they do not account for epidemics.
The CDC’s report revealed that autism diagnoses for children rose to approximately one in every 31 by age eight in 2022, up from one in 36 in 2020. The authors of the report acknowledge that improvements in early diagnosis could explain these changes, indicating that variances in autism prevalence across different communities may relate to the availability of early detection and evaluation services.
Kennedy’s statements have been met with widespread criticism from various autism advocates, including the Autism Society of America. They argue that framing autism as “preventable” unfairly places blame on families and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. They stress that autism is a lifelong developmental condition, not a transient epidemic, and call for continued rigorous research grounded in credible methodologies to understand this condition better. The society’s CEO underscored the necessity of celebrating advancements in screening while advocating for comprehensive studies to further the understanding of autism.