In WASHINGTON, a light-hearted moment was shared between Emery Eversoll and her mother when Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. remarked that some autistic children might never write poems. Emery, a 16-year-old from Kansas, has her room filled with notebooks of her poetry. She often uses this creative outlet to manage her anger, making it clear that Kennedy’s characterization does not apply to her. Emery’s mother began suspecting her daughter might be autistic when she memorized every word from a beloved book by the age of two.
Despite initial disagreements, this Kansas family remains optimistic about Kennedy’s initiative to launch an extensive study on autism, a complex developmental disorder that affects the brain, causing delays in communication, social isolation, and a strict need for routine. Kennedy has committed to uncovering some of the causes of autism by September, a disorder that has perplexed researchers for decades.
Kennedy’s commentary that autism can “destroy families” includes assertions that children with autism might face significant limitations, like never holding jobs, paying taxes, or engaging in common social activities. His plan to rapidly investigate autism’s origins has divided a community of millions affected by the condition. While some appreciate the attention to everyday challenges, others feel misrepresented and question Kennedy’s aptitude to evaluate the disorder thoroughly. Concerns also arise from Kennedy’s controversial views linking vaccines to autism, despite overwhelming scientific evidence disproving this connection.
Ohio resident Scott Copeland, who is autistic and has two autistic children, is skeptical of Kennedy’s proposed study, equating the promise of a swift solution to curing cancer quickly. Frustration and disbelief are common themes among various families when addressing Kennedy’s comments about autism’s life impacts.
Kelly Van Den Berghe, a mother in Massachusetts, finds a painful resonance in Kennedy’s depiction of autism. Her 18-year-old son Daniel, who has profound autism, continues to struggle with communication, requiring a tablet to converse. His self-harm tendencies prompted a move to a residential facility for his safety. Despite the emotional toll of this decision, Van Den Berghe is grateful for acknowledgement of the severe challenges her son faces.
For the Eversoll family, Kennedy’s comments highlight their daughter’s difficulties, such as sensitivity to loud noises and discomfort with certain clothing textures. They relate these challenges to any other significant life adjustment a child may face.
Eileen Lamb, diagnosed with autism herself, lives in Austin, Texas with her three children, two of whom are also autistic. Managing daily activities, such as ensuring her 12-year-old son Charlie doesn’t eat inedible objects, underscores her family’s reality. She documents their journey online, finding both solace in minor victories and reflection on the milestones Charlie might never reach.
Lamb acknowledges that although Kennedy’s comments touch on her son’s limitations, they do not define his worth. She emphasizes that the language used to describe autistic individuals matters tremendously.
Scott Copeland, father to a non-verbal 21-year-old son requiring 24/7 care, also believes Kennedy lacks firsthand understanding of autism. He expresses disdain for those claiming expertise without true insight into the condition.
Kennedy’s stance that autism is a “preventable disease” unsettles families who view genetic factors as the primary cause of autism. Researchers agree, identifying genetics as a crucial element in autism’s occurrence.
Ashley Seliquini from Greensboro, North Carolina, sees clear genetic links within her family. Both she and her 5-year-old daughter have autism, experiencing challenges like losing their ability to speak when overwhelmed.
Doctors attribute the increased autism diagnosis rates primarily to heightened awareness and broader acknowledgment of milder disorder forms. However, Kennedy and President Donald Trump have both insinuated vaccines could cause rising autism rates, contrary to extensive research. Studies from the National Institutes of Health consider environmental aspects like prenatal exposure to pollutants or older parental age.
Kennedy has recently announced plans to fund 15 scientists to investigate autism, though details remain sparse. Eileen Lamb hopes their focus is on tangible support for families like hers, rather than the disproven vaccine-autism link.
For Van Den Berghe, unresolved questions linger regarding her son’s autism, despite acknowledgment of the lack of evidence connecting vaccines. Her quest for answers continues, rooted in personal experiences and the belief that more understanding lies ahead.