RFK Jr.'s remarks that autism 'destroys' children spark outrage

Many parents fear his comments will set back efforts to destigmatize the disorder

- Maggie Astor, Azeen Ghorayshi and Dani Blum

WASHINGTON - Mr Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s remarks this week that autism "destroys" children have prompted outrage among many autistic people, who said they had done things Mr Kennedy claimed were impossible, such as hold a job, write a poem, play baseball and go on dates.

They added that the lives of people who did need help performing daily activities were still worthy of respect.

"Autism doesn't destroy families. It's the ableism that does," said Ms Tyla Grant, who was diagnosed with autism at 17. She called Mr Kennedy's comments "fearmongering" and said his "rhetoric flattens our existence into this outdated stereotype".

Many parents of autistic children said they feared Mr Kennedy's remarks would set back efforts to destigmatize autism and connect families with support services.

"How will our children survive if they are considered a tragedy?" said Ms Kim Cristo, whose 17-year-old daughter is "essentially non-verbal" but has a fulfilling social life, loves music and does yoga and karate.

"How can we make their lives meaningful if they are being dismissed as lost causes?"

Mr Kennedy, who is Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), made his remarks at a news conference on April 16 discussing new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that showed autism diagnoses among children in the US have continued to rise.

Although the increase is thought to be driven largely by broadened criteria and increased awareness, Mr Kennedy falsely declared that autism was preventable and called the situation an epidemic.

"These are kids who will never pay taxes," he said, adding: "Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted."