Response to Comments on Autism by the HHS Secretary & the President

About the Author

Brenda Dater, MSW, MPH, is the executive director at AANE and the author of “Parenting Without Panic.” Brenda is a mom of three, and her eldest is an Autistic transgender woman. Brenda has facilitated parent support groups for over 20 years and thoroughly enjoys creating an environment where parents can find the support, information, and the community they need.

The remarks delivered in the April 10, 2025 cabinet meeting by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the President of the United States are deeply concerning and harmful to the autism community.

False Claims About an Autism “Epidemic” Ignore Science and History

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is comparing apples to oranges when he talks about autism rates. When he was a child in the 1950s and 60s, autism wasn’t widely recognized or diagnosed the way it is today. The rise in diagnoses reflects expanded understanding, better screening, and broader diagnostic criteria. So the numbers aren’t skyrocketing—they’re finally catching up to reality.

Misinformation Undermines Public Health

The suggestion that autism is caused by something “artificial” contradicts decades of scientific research. Claims that imply autism can be avoided if you “stop eating something” or by “… a shot” perpetuate harmful and debunked conspiracy theories. Asserting that “By September we will know what has caused the autism epidemic” presupposes the answer the research will find. Misinformation like this doesn’t help—it hurts families and undermines public trust in science and medicine.

Focus Should Be on the Needs of the Autistic Community

Rather than speculating about false causes, federal leadership should prioritize support, services, and culturally responsive care for Autistic people and their families. What’s needed is research into quality-of-life improvements—not harmful mischaracterizations.

We urge public officials to ground their actions in science, compassion, and inclusion—and to work in partnership with the Autistic community to build a society where everyone can thrive.