Many in the autism community say RFK Jr. is pushing harmful and regressive rhetoric about who they are
Many in the autism community say RFK Jr. is pushing harmful and regressive rhetoric about who they are
“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,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy said of people with autism.
Summary
Kennedy described autism as an “individual tragedy” and “catastrophic,” claiming children with autism “will never pay taxes,” “never hold a job,” or “never go out on a date.”
Dr. Peter Hotez and other advocates pushed back, calling his comments harmful and reductive.
“He set up this litmus test of what it is to be a person,” said Zoe Gross.
“They deserve better than being a rhetorical prop,” she added.