what did rfk say about autism

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) made several controversial statements about autism at a press conference in April 2025. He described autism as "destroying families" and called it an "individual tragedy." He claimed that many autistic children are severely affected, saying they "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" and that many "will never use a toilet unassisted." He also said that 25% of autistic kids are nonverbal, non-toilet- trained, and have other severe features. Kennedy disputed the idea that the rise in autism diagnoses is due to better awareness and diagnosis, attributing it instead to environmental toxins, which he considers a preventable cause. He pledged a significant research initiative to identify environmental factors causing autism. However, these views have been widely criticized by medical experts, autism advocates, and organizations. Experts say Kennedy's portrayal is skewed and misleading, and that autism is a spectrum with a wide range of abilities. Many autistic individuals and advocates emphasize the diversity and potential of people on the spectrum, contrary to Kennedy's bleak characterization. The scientific consensus is that genetics play a major role in autism, although environmental factors are being studied as well. Kennedy's statements on autism and vaccines have been called misinformation by experts and advocacy groups.