Breaking News: Autism Still Not a Disease, RFK Jr. Still Not an Expert

RFK Jr. doesn’t want to help autistic people—he wants to erase us. His promise to “cure autism” is not only scientifically incoherent, it’s morally bankrupt. It’s the kind of thing you say when you haven’t listened to a single autistic person but still feel entitled to speak over millions. Framing autism as a disease to be wiped out is eugenics dressed up as compassion, and it’s not just offensive—it’s dangerous. RFK Jr. isn’t a visionary; he’s a fear-mongering relic with a savior complex and a microphone. The last thing autistic people need is another rich white man declaring war on our existence in the name of "help."

The idea of focusing on the cause of autism can be offensive or hurtful to some people—especially autistic individuals—for several interconnected reasons:

1. It can frame autism as a problem to be solved

When people search for the "cause" of autism, it often implies that autism is inherently bad or something that needs to be prevented or cured. This can feel dehumanizing to autistic people, many of whom see autism as a fundamental and valuable part of who they are—not a disease or defect.

2. It centers pathology over acceptance

Focusing on causes can distract from more pressing needs: inclusion, support, accessibility, and acceptance. Many autistic people and advocates argue that energy should go toward making the world more accommodating, not eliminating neurodivergence.

3. It echoes a history of harmful research and rhetoric

Research into autism has a long, troubling history, including eugenic and dehumanizing undertones. For example, there have been efforts to use prenatal testing to detect and potentially prevent the birth of autistic children. That aligns autism with something to be "eradicated," which understandably raises alarm.

4. It sidelines autistic voices

Much of the discourse around causes is led by non-autistic researchers or parents, rather than autistic people themselves. This can make autistic individuals feel objectified or spoken about, rather than included in the conversation.

5. It risks fostering stigma

When people hear "let’s find the cause," it can reinforce stigma—that being autistic is abnormal, broken, or tragic. This directly contradicts the neurodiversity movement, which asserts that neurological variation is natural and should be respected like any other human difference.

Some autistic people are fine with exploring causes if the focus is on understanding and supporting development—not erasing or curing them. But it’s all about the framing, intent, and impact.