Overview

• The CDC's latest report shows autism prevalence among U.S. eight-year-olds rose from 1 in 36 in 2020 to 1 in 31 in 2022, attributed largely to improved screening and diagnostic changes.
• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. labeled autism a 'preventable disease' caused by environmental toxins, a claim widely rejected by scientists who emphasize its strong genetic basis.
• Kennedy's remarks about autistic individuals' abilities, including claims they will 'never pay taxes or hold a job,' have been criticized as stigmatizing and harmful by lawmakers, advocates, and parents.
• Six leading autism advocacy groups issued a joint statement condemning Kennedy's framing of autism as an 'epidemic' and urging evidence-based research and respect for autistic individuals.
• HHS has begun drafting protocols for studies into potential environmental factors, with preliminary findings expected by September, though experts question the feasibility of Kennedy's timeline.