Families with severely autistic children are rallying behind Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent comments and proposed studies on autism. His commitment to conducting comprehensive research has sparked hope among parents who have long felt their struggles with severe autism have been overlooked in favor of more positive portrayals of the condition. How might Kennedy’s research differ from previous studies on autism causes?
Kennedy Pledges New Research on Autism Causes
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced plans to launch comprehensive studies investigating environmental causes of autism as part of his role as Health and Human Services Secretary. Kennedy emphasized that autism rates have skyrocketed to 1 in 31 children nationwide, with approximately 25% of those diagnosed having severe autism that significantly impacts their ability to function independently.
During his announcement, Kennedy stated, “This is a preventable disease. We know it’s environmental exposure. It has to be. Genes do not cause epidemics. It can provide a vulnerability, but you need an environmental toxin.”
I am not an rfk jr fan but he just described children with what some would call "profound" or "severe" autism at a press conference and i have already seen so much pushback about how "their kid who has autism isn't like that" and like……….congratulations???? mine is.
— emily may (@emilykmay) April 16, 2025
Families Defend Kennedy’s Focus on Severe Autism
Kennedy’s comments describing the challenges of severe autism have drawn criticism from some politicians who claim he’s stigmatizing those with autism. However, many families living with severely autistic children have come forward to defend his statements, expressing gratitude that someone in government is acknowledging their daily struggles.
Kennedy described the severe autism’s impact, saying, “And 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.” While some found these comments offensive, many parents dealing with severe autism say this accurately describes their reality.
As the mother of a daughter with severe autism, mild mental retardation and an intellectual delay, I resent your disdain for Secretary Kennedy’s efforts to research the increasing numbers of autism in America.
My daughter was diagnosed over 20 years ago and he is the first…
— Lisa Walsh (@LisaWal24884807) April 17, 2025
Environmental Factors Under Investigation
Kennedy has identified several potential environmental factors that his department plans to investigate as possible contributors to autism. These include mold, pesticides, food chemicals, certain medicines, and even ultrasound scans—all environmental exposures that haven’t been comprehensively studied concerning autism development.
The proposed research represents what many families see as a long-overdue scientific inquiry into autism’s environmental triggers. Kennedy promised, “We’re going to announce a series of new studies to identify precisely what the environmental toxins are that are causing it. This has not been done before. And we’re going to do it in a thorough and comprehensive way, and we’re gonna get back with an answer to the American people very, very quickly.”
Parents of severely autistic children have expressed frustration with what they describe as a sugar-coated portrayal of autism in media and advocacy. One parent stated, “The ignorance surrounding severe autism is actually mind-boggling,” while others shared personal stories of the round-the-clock care their children require and the toll it takes on entire families.
Kennedy’s focus on severe autism has resonated with families who feel their experiences have been marginalized in conversations about autism spectrum disorders. Many have taken to social media to share their support for the Secretary’s initiatives, hoping that new research might lead to better prevention, treatments, and support systems for the most severely affected individuals.