RFK & Autism: My Thoughts and Opinions (TRIGGER WARNING)

 


I don't like covering politics, but as an advocate, it's important to know what laws, services, etc. are out there so I can inform people on what is out there.  On WEDNESDAY APRIL 16th, 2025 (AKA: my 27th birthday), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made remarks on what HE thinks autism is.  The Center of Disease & Control-CDC (2025), came out on April 17th, with new prevalence numbers on autism.  It has been found that 1 in 31 children between the ages of 4-8 have autism.  These numbers come from a study that was taken from 2020-2024.



Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made some controversial and damaging remarks in his speech.  He stated that individuals with autism will never be able to work a day in their lives (won't pay taxes), won't marry, can't play baseball, and they destroy families.  This statement is not close to true.  Can it be SLIGHTLY true for individuals whose families struggle with the stress of having a child on the spectrum, especially a child who is level 3? Possibly.  I'm no parent, but many psychology classes I have taken have shown perspectives on a parent's experience with raising a child who may need more help with certain things or are incapable of doing certain things.  It can be hard.  Unfortunately, some parents aren't equipped to mentally handle the needs of the child, so it plays a huge stressor and can burden the parent.  This can cause conflicts to arise especially if one parent believes in one thing for the child, where the other one disagrees.  I can see RFK's rationale on this.  However, autism is a SPECTRUM!! It looks different depending on the individual, especially with how they communicate, socialize, behave, and experience the world around them.  

Being autistic is NOT like having a disease!! If you believe this, I plead for you to inform yourself on what autism is.  There is no "cause" or even "cure" for autism.  Autism is a lifelong challenge that affects one's ability to do things such as communicate effectively, socialize appropriately, behave appropriately, and experience places and things in their environment based on their sensory needs.  

Lastly, RFK wants the government in the U.S. to "track" people with autism.  What does this mean?  Basically, it is a violation of HIPPA as he wants the government to use public health records.  This is uncalled for an wrong on so many levels...ethically, morally...I just want to know who hurt this man?!? 

I am an autistic female! I have had employment. I have my Bachelor's degree.  I've been on my own before.  I can play baseball.  Learn what autism is before you go about spreading false information about what it is.  RFK, you KNOW people with autism...Elon has autism!! People you know could have it, they probably are scared to tell you based on your previous history with conspiracy theorizing that autism is caused by vaccines... IT ISN'T!!! There has been research stating that it is MOSTLY genetics and slightly environmental.

Questions? Comments? Concerns?  Feel free to contact me!  I can talk this through!  I am an autism advocate! I will fight for and speak up for my fellow Autistics who are unable to speak up for this issue!


^I just noticed this says "Audsm"



SOURCES:

Center for Disease and Control (CDC): Prevalence and Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 4 and 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 16 Sites, United States, 2022, April 17, 2025, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/ss/ss7402a1.htm#suggestedcitation 

 

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