Setting the record straight on autism: What science really says, and why recent government proposals threaten progress and privacy.
The recently proposed registry of individuals with ASD is an unethical breach of patient confidentiality.By R. Susan Daily, M.D., Eunice Y. Yuen, M.D., Ph.D., Dorothy Stubbe, M.D,. and the Child Committee of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatryoffice.
“Who?” the psychiatrist enquired. “RFK, Jr.—he doesn’t understand anything about what it means to be neurodiverse. I’m Joe was referring to the press conference given by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services , on April 16, 2025. In his statements, Mr. Kennedy said: “Autism destroys families, and more importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which is our children…. These are kids who will never pay taxes, they'll never hold a job, they'll never play baseball, they'll never write a poem, they'll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted…. We have to recognize we are doing this to our children, and we need to put an end to it.”” is a concept that contends that natural variation exists in human development and brain functioning—in how an individual thinks, processes information, learns, and relates to others. The basic idea is that there is no single “correct” way of being a person. Those who advocate for the acceptance of a neurodiversity viewpoint highlight the positive aspects of ASD., and other highly intelligent individuals are autistic. For Joe, autism is a unique and valued aspect of hisas a condition in which the individual exhibits persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, plus restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, beginning in the early developmental period. The condition has an overall estimatedThe autism spectrum is generally divided into three levels reflecting the intensity of support required for daily living.Level 2 : The individual requires support, with significant challenges in communication and behavior, but they are able to learn self-care and other life skills. Level 3 : The individual requires very substantial support, with co-occurring intellectual disability, minimal verbal communication, and limited capacity to manage activities of daily living.HHS Secretary Kennedy claimed, “Autism is a preventable disease…. Clearly, there are industries. This is coming from an environmental toxin. Somebody made a profit by putting that environmental toxin into our air, our water, our medicines, our food. It’s to their benefit to normalize it, to say, this is all normal.” This statement is inaccurate.. The research supporting this claim is very strong. Twin studies and genetic testing consistently demonstrates a powerful genetic component, with estimates of theAlthough pollution has many adverse health effects, minimal evidence suggests that toxins after birth lead to autism. Large-scale studies conducted over decades have debunked the claim that, and autism researchers. They raised concerns about violating the privacy of protected health information and the potential use of the information to support unfounded claims. The groups described the registry as unethical, problematic, and stigmatizing to individuals with ASD. Possibly due to this backlash, HHS reversed course.More research on potential causes, early interventions, and treatment of ASD is certainly welcome, if research is performed scientifically. However, a draft of proposed cuts to HHS, leaked on April 23, 2025, wouldDaniel Geschwind, professor and director of the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment, noted that researchers were “poised to make big advances in autism.” Yet, the cuts and unscientific approaches to research will make those advances “stop in their tracks.” The ban on research and services related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility has also directly halted autism research. If the Medicaid budget in the U.S. is slashed, as Congress has proposed, about 15 million people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid health insurance will be removed from the rolls. Cuts to the Department of Education, which supports more than 7 million disabled students, will also limit essential special educational services to individuals with ASD. Children with ASD, along with those with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, intellectual disability, and other mental health conditions, will experience a reduction in services.Without a sound scientific understanding of the complex causes of ASD, there is no clear path to prevention. A scientifically questionable and misguided focus on ASD prevention will not advance a true understanding of causes, treatments, and respect for what autistic individuals bring to society. Given the decades of solid scientific research investigating ASD, the claim that the “cause will be found by September” is implausible. It is important to remember that the United States’ investments in research have made it the world’s largest generator of scientific advances in health and technology.HHS reversed its plans for an autism “registry” after a public outcry. A strong public outcry has reversed many other administration declarations. Members of the public canto advocate against budget cuts to basic services for disabled Americans, as well as for research into causes and cures of autism, cancer, and multiple other serious disorders. Budget policy decisions should be based on scientific evidence and realistic assessments of the needs of U.S. citizens.All authors are child and adolescent psychiatrists. Drs. Dorothy Stubbe, M.D., and Eunice Y. Yuen, M.D., Ph.D., are co-chairs of the GAP Child Committee.is a think tank of top psychiatric minds whose thoughtful analysis and recommendations serve to influence and advance modern psychiatric theory and practice.Life never gets easier. Fortunately, psychology is keeping up, uncovering new ways to maintain mental and physical health, and positivity and confidence, through manageable daily habits like these. How many are you ready to try?Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.
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