Overview

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. described autism as a preventable disease caused by environmental toxins and pledged to identify its cause by September, contradicting established genetic research.
• Kennedy's claim that autistic individuals 'will never pay taxes or hold a job' has been widely condemned as stigmatizing and inaccurate by lawmakers, experts, and advocacy groups.
• Advocates emphasize that autism is a neurological condition with a wide spectrum, and many individuals with autism lead independent, fulfilling lives, contributing to society in various ways.
• HHS has appointed vaccine denier David Geier to lead the autism research effort, raising further concerns about the credibility and scientific rigor of the initiative.
• Experts argue that rising autism rates reflect better screening and awareness, not an epidemic, and urge a focus on lifetime support services rather than seeking a 'cure.'