{"id":1736,"date":"2025-04-30T10:58:58","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T02:58:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportpro.cc\/?p=1736"},"modified":"2025-04-30T10:58:58","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T02:58:58","slug":"rfk-jr-misrepresents-severity-of-autism-in-public-remarks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportpro.cc\/?p=1736","title":{"rendered":"RFK Jr. Misrepresents Severity of Autism in Public Remarks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tags: autism, RFK Jr., public health, disability, CDC, neurodiversity, autism spectrum, misinformation<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Public Comments Draw Backlash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. drew national attention and criticism after comments he made during an April 16 press conference addressing a new CDC report on autism. The report found autism prevalence rising to 1 in 31 among 8-year-olds. In his remarks, Kennedy called autism a tragedy that “destroys families,” suggesting that many autistic children regress after age 2 and will never work, date, write poetry, or use a toilet unassisted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kennedy further stated, \u201cMost cases now are severe,\u201d claiming that 25% of children with autism are nonverbal, non-toilet-trained, and exhibit other stereotypical symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experts Say Kennedy Overstated Severity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Medical professionals and autism advocates challenged Kennedy\u2019s characterization. While a 2023 study did find that 26.7% of children on the autism spectrum had what researchers termed \u201cprofound\u201d autism\u2014characterized by minimal verbal skills or an IQ under 50\u2014this is not representative of the entire spectrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Mandell, a University of Pennsylvania psychiatry professor, criticized Kennedy\u2019s \u201cfixed, myopic view\u201d and encouraged engagement with scientists and families familiar with autism\u2019s full range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health and Human Services did not clarify what portion of those diagnosed are unable to perform the activities Kennedy cited. A spokesperson later said Kennedy was referring to those with severe autism, not the broader population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autism: A Broad and Evolving Diagnosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The definition of autism has changed significantly over time. Previously misunderstood or misdiagnosed as intellectual disability or schizophrenia, autism is now seen as a spectrum that includes individuals with diverse strengths and support needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christopher Banks of the Autism Society of America noted that today\u2019s broader diagnostic criteria encompass people with strong language abilities and higher IQs, not just those with profound disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Prevalent Are Severe Autism Symptoms?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Estimating the number of individuals with severe autism is difficult. The 2023 CDC study referenced by Kennedy offered the highest figure, placing 26.7% of children in the \u201cprofound\u201d category. However, other studies report lower numbers. A 2024 study involving over 1,300 U.S. children with autism found that only 10.1% were characterized by their parents as having \u201csevere\u201d autism. Of those, only 38% were identified as having a severe intellectual disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Judith Ursitti, whose son falls into the \u201cprofound\u201d category, emphasized the importance of recognizing those with higher needs without letting them define the entire spectrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, CDC data shows that 42% of people on the autism spectrum have average or above-average IQs. Other studies suggest this number could be as high as 60%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Debunking Kennedy\u2019s Specific Claims<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many of Kennedy\u2019s statements don’t align with available data:<\/p>\n\n\n\n