As a child and adolescent psychiatrist, a proud member of both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), and — most importantly — as a parent to a beautiful five-year-old son with autism, I feel compelled to speak out regarding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent promise to “find the answer” to what he refers to as the “autism epidemic” by September of this year.
This promise is both concerning and deeply problematic.
Mr. Kennedy has a long history of promoting scientifically discredited views, particularly around vaccines and autism. Despite overwhelming evidence from multiple large, well-designed studies disproving any link between the MMR vaccine and autism, he continues to assert this connection. (Note that this claim originated from a 1998 publication based on fraudulent data and which was later redacted.)
Such rhetoric is not only factually incorrect — it is dangerous. At a time when our country is facing a measles outbreak that has already taken the lives of two children, continuing to cast doubt on life-saving vaccines is nothing short of reckless.
Moreover, Mr. Kennedy consistently frames autism through a narrow and pathologizing lens. He speaks almost exclusively about individuals with profound support needs, ignoring the vast diversity and complexity of the autism spectrum. I work every day with autistic individuals who span this spectrum — from highly independent, articulate young people to those who are nonverbal and require round-the-clock care. All of them are valuable. All of them are worthy. None of them are broken.
As a parent, I do not view my son as “diseased” or in need of a cure. He is a bright, funny and loving child who brings our family immeasurable joy. Yes, he faces challenges — but he is not a tragedy. The language and framing used by Mr. Kennedy are not only scientifically misguided, they are deeply offensive to families like mine and to the many autistic individuals who are living rich, meaningful lives.
Autism is not a single entity with a simple cause. The scientific community widely agrees that autism arises from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Considerable time and resources are being invested to understand this complexity and to better support the happiness and success of affected individuals and families.
To claim that one will identify a singular “answer” to autism by a set date betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of both science and the neurodiversity of the population affected.
I call on my colleagues in pediatrics, psychiatry and across the medical and scientific communities to speak out against these oversimplified and harmful narratives. We must continue to advocate for accurate, evidence-based information and for the dignity and worth of every autistic person.
(Spencer Merrick) Spencer Merrick, MD, is a pediatrician and child and adolescent psychiatrist in Utah.
Spencer Merrick, MD, is a pediatrician and child and adolescent psychiatrist in Utah.
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