Autism defenders come hard against RFK Jr.

A coalition of Autism Defense Groups issued a vigorous rebuke of the rhetoric loaded with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. conspiracy theory has been pressing on the disorder, saying that his latest comment “undermines respect for autistic people.”

The Thursday statement of six organizations, including the autistic self -defender network, Autism Society of America and Autism Speaks, does not mention the Secretary of Health and Human Services by its name, but refers directly to its recent comments by calling autism a “preventable disease” and an “epidemic”.

“We are deeply concerned about the growing public rhetoric and the political decisions that challenge these shared principles,” said the group’s statement, pointing out that it is essential that political leaders recognize that vaccines do not cause autism: two things that Kennedy has repeatedly linked without any evidence of support, and that people with autism deserve “respect and support.”

“The statements that autism is ‘preventable’ is not supported by scientific consensus and perpetuates stigma,” the group said. “Language frame autism as a ‘chronic disease’, ‘a’ children’s disease ‘or’ epidemic ‘distorts public understanding and undermines respect for autistic people.”

Tom Williams through Getty Images

Around a dozen more defense groups have supported the joint declaration, which says that “they join in our call to decision -based decision making and a greater investment in research, programs and services that the autism community needs to live fully.”

Kennedy has increased his talk about autism in recent days, saying a week ago that “For September we will know what the epidemic of autism has caused”, without taking into account that the disorder, which is not considered a disease, has been very investigated worldwide for decades.

“We have launched a massive effort of evidence and research that will involve hundreds of scientists around the world. For September, we will know what the autism epidemic has caused and we can eliminate those exhibitions,” he said at a Trump cabinet meeting.

And on Wednesday, Kennedy told journalists that “environmental toxins” had to blame the increase in autism rates, something that field experts say that it is actually the result of an improved diagnosis, an expanded definition of the disorder and greater consciousness.

“This is a preventable disease. We know that it is an environmental exposure. It has to be. Genes does not cause epidemics,” he said.

Autism defenders also called Kennedy’s evaluation of the capacities of autistic individuals.

“These are children who will never pay taxes. They will never have a job. They will never play baseball. They will never write a poem. They will never go to an appointment. Many of them will never use a toilet without help,” said the Secretary of Health and Human Services on Wednesday.

“The idea that we only deserve support if we can demonstrate that our potential is one of the most dangerous and insidious forms of capable,” said Kalla Allen Omeiza, founder of a non -profit organization focused on the stigma of final mental illnesses, to a News themezone reporter.