I have been going back and forth on this. I don’t know what to say; I must say something. Anything. Words are being used to describe Autism right now that are incredibly hurtful to my son and to my family. I am not trying to make assumptions about anyone’s beliefs by sharing my feelings and views. I feel the absolute need to stop misinformation in its tracks, no matter who it is spreading it. This is not political. This is personal. This is my family.

Absolute venom is being spewed about people in the autistic community, about my child. Our HHS Secretary, RFK Jr., said that children diagnosed with Autism 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.” He says, “Autism destroys families, and more importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which is our children. These are children who should not be suffering like this.” This statement is inherently not true.

Imagine that you hear someone in such a position of power describing you in this way. How would it affect you? Picture yourself being 5 years old and overhearing someone on the news say that you will never hold a job. You will never find love. Say that you have destroyed your family because of something you can’t control. Our family has not been destroyed. Our son is not destroyed by his Autism. He is different, but he is certainly not less than anyone else. Just like everyone, people on the spectrum are human beings. They, just like you, deserve respect, dignity, and compassion. Plenty of autistic people pay taxes and hold jobs. They absolutely can play sports, write poems, and go out on dates. They will find and know love. Autism is not a disease; it is not a chronic illness. It is not some virus spreading through the masses. It is not an epidemic.

“Autism isn’t a single thing; it is a word we use in an attempt to capture a spectrum of behavioral strengths, differences, and vulnerabilities to help optimally support children.” -Zachary Warren.

These generalizations are a disgusting portrayal of the autistic community under the illusion of goodwill. Pretending that there is an effort to find the cause and a cure for Autism.

“Autism isn’t an illness. It’s a different way of being human.” -Barry M. Prizant

No single thing causes Autism. Autism is incredibly complex. It is unrealistic to think we can pinpoint exactly how individual genes interact with countless environmental factors. Tens of thousands of studies have been done on Autism. The rise in diagnoses can be attributed to early detection and better diagnosis criteria. The goal with Autism is not to “cure” it. Instead, it aims to support individuals in identifying and making the most of their strengths. The goal is to help manage any challenges they face.

Treat everyone you meet with respect. Speak love and positivity. Know that your words have power, use that power to uplift and use it to spread truth and kindness.