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In a statement that has drawn sharp criticism from experts and advocacy groups alike, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently pledged to “find the cause” of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by September of this year.
Describing autism as an “epidemic,” Kennedy announced plans for a “massive testing and research effort” that he claims will involve “hundreds of scientists from around the world.”
While the statement has resonated with some sectors of the public, it has sparked alarm within the autism advocacy and scientific communities, who warn that such promises are not only scientifically implausible but also risk undoing decades of progress.
Among the most vocal critics is The Autism Society of America, the oldest and one of the most respected advocacy organizations for autistic individuals in the United States. The Society’s President and CEO Christopher Banks said Kennedy’s pledge is “unrealistic and misleading.”
“We find that unrealistic and misleading,” Banks stated bluntly. “It’s giving people a lot of false hope.”
Alongside Banks, Kristyn Roth, the Society’s Chief Marketing Officer, echoed these concerns, noting that while the need for increased research funding is genuine, the manner in which Kennedy has approached the issue is problematic on several fronts.
Chief among them is the complete lack of transparency surrounding the initiative: who will lead it, what methodology will be used, and whether it will adhere to the rigorous standards that scientific inquiry demands.
Roth and Banks' concerns extend beyond methodology. They worry about the ideological underpinnings of Kennedy’s efforts. Kennedy has a long and well-documented history of promoting the thoroughly debunked claim that vaccines are linked to autism.
In recent years, he has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the vaccine-skeptic movement, repeatedly using his platform to question scientific consensus despite the overwhelming body of research disproving any causal relationship between vaccines and autism.
“The disability community, global scientific and medical community are all aligned that there is no direct link between vaccines and autism,” Roth emphasized. “Millions of people have been studied through rigorous, peer-reviewed research over decades, and no link has ever been found.”
This consensus is backed by institutions including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), all of which have affirmed that vaccines are safe and that autism’s causes are far more complex and multifactorial.
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction. It is referred to as a “spectrum” because of the wide range of symptoms and severity that can manifest in different individuals.
The CDC currently estimates that 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with ASD, up from 1 in 44 just a few years ago.
But rather than signaling a sudden increase in the disorder itself, experts say this rise in diagnoses reflects improved screening practices, greater public awareness, and changes in diagnostic criteria.
“Labeling it an ‘epidemic’ is not only scientifically inaccurate, but it also contributes to harmful stigma,” Roth explained. “It suggests that autism is something to be eradicated or feared, rather than understood and supported.”
Current research indicates that autism arises from a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. While scientists continue to investigate how these elements interact, they agree that no single cause—certainly not vaccines—can account for the condition.
Some studies suggest that genetic mutations, prenatal exposures, and other factors may play a role, but unraveling the full picture is complex and takes time.
“True, rigorous, peer-reviewed science takes time to find quality answers,” Roth added. “The kind of research Kennedy is promising—on an impossible timeline and lacking transparency—is more likely to confuse the public than help them.”
Kennedy’s promise comes at a moment when public trust in science is already fragile. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the deep divides in American society when it comes to scientific information and public health measures.
Experts fear that by framing autism research as a political project—particularly one tied to outdated or discredited theories—Kennedy may undermine the very legitimacy of scientific inquiry.
“If this initiative is led by people who subscribe to debunked theories, we are at risk of reversing decades of progress in understanding and treating autism,” Banks said.
Indeed, the global scientific community has spent years attempting to dispel myths surrounding autism’s causes. The original claim linking vaccines to autism originated in a fraudulent 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield, which has since been retracted and widely condemned.
Nonetheless, the myth persists—fueled by figures like Kennedy—and continues to pose public health risks, such as decreased vaccination rates and increased disease outbreaks.
Beyond the scientific implications, many advocates take issue with the language Kennedy uses to describe autism. Referring to it as a “chronic disease” or an “epidemic” frames the condition in medicalized, pathologizing terms that ignore the lived experiences of autistic individuals and their families.
“Using medical terminology like ‘epidemic’ really dehumanizes autistic individuals and perpetuates stigma and stereotypes,” Roth said. “It reverses a lot of the progress that has been made over the last decades.”
In recent years, the neurodiversity movement has worked to shift public understanding of autism from a deficit-based model to one that recognizes and values neurological differences.
Advocates emphasize inclusion, accommodation, and respect for autistic voices in policy-making and research. Many worry that Kennedy’s rhetoric ignores this progress and risks reintroducing harmful tropes that portray autistic people as broken or diseased.
Ironically, while Kennedy pledges an ambitious research campaign, many of the institutions already doing critical work in autism research and support are facing funding threats.
The NIH, Department of Education, and Medicaid programs—all of which play key roles in supporting autistic individuals—have faced recent budget cuts or are under threat of future reductions.
“These cuts threaten not just research, but services and supports that autistic individuals rely on every day,” Roth noted. “If the government truly wants to help, they should be investing in education, access to therapy, job training, and housing support—not misleading research efforts.”
Advocates and experts agree: more research into autism is essential. But they emphasize that such efforts must be led by scientists with relevant expertise, must follow peer-reviewed methodologies, and must involve the autism community at every stage.
“We welcome research,” Banks said. “But it must be transparent, inclusive, and grounded in science. We need leadership that listens to autistic individuals, their families, and the experts who have dedicated their careers to understanding this condition.”
Indeed, many within the community are urging Kennedy to shift his approach—not to abandon research, but to do it responsibly.
“If Secretary Kennedy wants to help,” Roth said, “he should listen to the people who are living this experience every day. He should prioritize support services, invest in ongoing scientific research, and amplify autistic voices—not erase or misrepresent them.”
The Autism Society of America’s message is clear: Kennedy’s promise, while perhaps well-intentioned, risks spreading misinformation, reigniting harmful myths, and undoing decades of hard-won progress. Finding a single cause of autism by September is not just unrealistic—it’s fundamentally out of step with how science works.
Autism is not a disease to be cured; it is a condition to be understood, supported, and embraced. Real progress comes not from sensationalist promises but from collaboration, evidence-based research, and the inclusion of autistic voices in every conversation about their future.
As Roth concluded, “Autistic people deserve better than political stunts. They deserve the truth, the science, and the respect that comes with being seen as whole human beings—not problems to be solved.”
