According to a story in the April 2025 New York Times, in response to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control showing rising rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said, “…that autism was preventable…” and that he would find a cure by the fall.
That was just one of the myriad versions that the Secretary of Health and Human Services elicited:
Love on the Spectrum stars criticize RFK Jr’s approach BBC News
People with autism seek dignity where RFK seeks a cure AXIOS News
RFK, Jr., Is Completely Wrong about Autism, Say Scientists Scientific American
RFK Jr pledges to find the cause of autism ‘by September’ BBC News
How RFK Jr. is shaping the conversation about autism and… PBS
Statement on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Comments … Autism Society Response
And others…
Everyone has an opinion about Mr. Secretary’s proclamation, so what follows is my take on the Autism ‘situation’.
Most of the families that come to The Child Development Center agree that, at least NOW, the government is showing interest in solving this perplexing childhood developmental problem.
Here are several items that the medical establishment can do – starting today – that would impact identification, diagnosis and treatment:
Follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines, which recommend screening children for development during routine checkups at 9 months, 18 months, and 30 months, and for autism at 18 and 24 months. Screening can also be done whenever a parent or provider has a concern. That means, practitioners who advise a “wait and see” posture when milestones are not met are adding to the problem, since early identification has been documented as a key to better prognosis.
Follow the CDC vaccination guidelines AS RECOMMENDED.
That means, practitioners who suggest extra doses of ‘shots’ when a child has missed a dose are not following protocol. There is no randomized, double-blind, controlled prospective study on this common practice. It would not pass human experimentation criteria for safety.
Practitioners who suggest immunization when a child has a slight fever are not following protocol. There is no randomized, double-blind, controlled prospective study on this common practice. It would not pass human experimentation criteria for safety.
Understand that more study needs to be done, before declaring that multiple dose vaccines are safe for all.
Autism can be immunologically produced or affected, and atopy (allergy) is a big issue in affected patients. So when the TV commercial warns, “If you are allergic to the components in this product, let your doctor know.” How would they know? And, especially if the companies have now combined a bunch of concoctions?
Pediatricians, Developmental Pediatricians, Pediatric Neurologists and other practitioners need to study and implement the protocols that have produced results for years, and be better informed about complicated methods that waste time and money.
Pediatricians, Developmental Pediatricians, Pediatric Neurologists and other practitioners must consider a differential diagnosis for the signs and symptoms the patients exhibit, rather than simply label just about every new individual with developmental delay, speech delay, oppositional defiance disorder, attention deficit disorder, sensory processing disorder, and, oh, yeah, Autism.
Every patient deserves a proper medical ‘workup’.
So, what consequences may arise from Jr.’s statement? Continued ignorance at worst, enlightenment, perhaps, at best? There are more affected families who are seeking relief every day, from every country, and in every race, creed, color and sex. This is an epidemic (i.e. “in numbers greater than expected”). This is mysterious. That is why, every absurd idea – no matter how un-scientific – gets traction on our modern social, pseudoscientific, multi-pharmaceutical network.
Instead of adding to the drama-packed world that politics has injected into what should be scientific purvey, let’s give the Secretary of HHS some space and see what answers come over the rainbow.
©TheAutismDoctor.com
