My Son Is Not an Epidemic: A Father Responds to RFK Jr.’s Dangerous Autism Rhetoric

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In 2017, when a nurse informed my wife and I that our two-year-old son Noah was autistic, those words didn’t shatter us; instead, they cleared away the haze of doubt, offering us a strategic approach to ensure he would receive all necessary support.

Hearing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is currently the Secretary of Health and Human Services, refer to children similar to mine as being part of an “autism epidemic,” attributed to unknown “environmental toxins,” eight years after our initial encounter, leaves me feeling quite disoriented, like I’ve been given a sharp jolt.

Kennedy publicly stated his stance in front of the cameras, asserting that individuals similar to Noah “will never contribute to taxes, will never work, and will never independently use a restroom.” He labeled autism as a disease that can be prevented and vowed to conduct an immediate investigation to find its supposed sources in the environment. Disregarding decades of scientific findings, he equated a complex neurological condition with pollution.

This is the man responsible for guiding the United States’ national health policy.

Let that sink in.

This isn’t just incorrect information; it’s a heightened form of scare tactics. It’s like a modern-day charlatan in a white coat – charm, deception, and lacking any scientific basis.

Let me tell you what autism actually looks like.

It seems as though Noah is comfortably seated on the floor, meticulously reciting the names of our solar system’s planets in reverse order, finding this challenging yet amusing. He can often be found designing intricate mazes in his notebook, creating unique characters with distinct personalities and voices. His free time is frequently spent imitating iconic scenes from “Spongebob Squarepants” and editing videos on his tablet, which could leave Thelma Schoonmaker a tad envious. All of these actions reflect enthusiasm, trials, development, and the essence of what it means to be human.

It seems that the remarkable adults with autism I’ve had the pleasure of encountering, many through shows like “Love on the Spectrum” on Netflix, are ones who receive something that Kennedy appears to be lacking: appreciation and comprehension.

Over the course of three seasons, individuals with autism have gone on dates, found love, tied the knot, composed poetry, shared laughter through jokes, and even held down jobs.

Tanner, who is endearingly charming, hails from South Carolina and works full-time at a hotel. He shares living space with other roommates, yet his contributions to our community surpass those made by several individuals within the current Trump administration.

Dani is an energetic and humorous woman who holds a job, harbors a profound passion for animation, and possesses an emotional understanding that outshines many politicians.

As for Connor, he’s a charming gentleman hailing from Georgia, who shares an ardent affection for “Game of Thrones.” He’s often found immersed in books, and has recently gained notoriety on social media due to his chivalrous behavior during a date with the equally captivating Georgie. Before they shared their first kiss in his backyard, amidst the gentle patter of rain under an umbrella, he graciously asked for consent – a concept that our current U.S. President seems less acquainted with.

Not a single adult here can be labeled as a victim, nor do they qualify as burdens. Moreover, none of them corresponds to the oversimplified portrayal of weakness that Kennedy described.

Kennedy’s words are incredibly inhumane, and it’s clear that timing is crucial here. Just days after 17-year-old Victor Perez, a young man with autism, was tragically killed by police, these harsh remarks were made. The officers involved in the shooting have been temporarily suspended and investigations into both criminal and internal matters are underway. An external investigation is being led by the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force.

Kennedy trivializes and simplifies the complex, multifaceted lives of autistic individuals into a joke during his astonishing press conference.

And let’s be serious here: It’s also just scientifically lazy.

As a movie buff, I’d rephrase that like this: “It’s not some mysterious spike in autism cases we’re witnessing, but rather the fruits of extended diagnostic criteria, heightened awareness, and easier access to assessments – particularly for communities previously overlooked. The professionals in the field, our pediatricians and child psychologists, are actually praising this development. They see it as a positive sign that children are receiving necessary support at earlier stages in life, when it can have the most significant impact.

However, Kennedy disregards such arguments entirely. He’s steering the nation towards the stigmatized realms of vaccine skepticism and air pollution fears – all the while failing to heed the perspectives of authentic autistic individuals and experts versed in the intricacies of this condition.

Straightforwardly stated: Autism isn’t due to a single cause; it isn’t contagious. Instead, it represents a range of neurological differences that arise from a complex interplay of genetic, physiological, and environmental factors. It’s an experience shared by countless individuals who require understanding, not scrutiny, and many readers here might be among them, even if they haven’t received a formal diagnosis.

This situation isn’t a crisis; it’s an invitation for inclusivity. I can’t predict whether Noah will pay taxes in the future, but let me clarify that’s not due to his diagnosis—it’s simply because he’s still a kid at ten years old.

However, let me clarify a few things: He’s not just skilled; he’s compassionate too. Moreover, he’s open to growth and has surpassed all expectations set for him, breaking free from every confining projection.

If I’m forced to listen to one more government official using my child as a soundbite for political gain, I’ll continue to write—loudly. And millions of parents of autistic children who are appalled by such portrayals will join me in doing so. At the polls, they will certainly vote against this notion.

My son is not a tragedy. He’s not a burden. And he’s definitely not your talking point.

He is not an epidemic. He’s Noah.

So, in the inspirational words of Will Smith: Keep my son’s name out your fucking mouth.

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2025-04-17 03:47