Never underestimate the abilities of those with disabilities.
~Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent comments about autism, including describing it as a “disease,” created an uproar. Kennedy seems to be on a fishing expedition for a cure; one gets the feeling he still wants to blame vaccines, and his stigmatizing comments that autism “destroys lives” are cruel and woefully out of touch.
He rarely mentions education, increasing the uncertainty about how the Department of Health and Human Services will administer the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) if it is transferred from the U.S. Department of Education without congressional approval. How will students receive services and the promised protections of the law?
Going Back in Time
Kennedy’s past is shrouded in conspiratorial theories, and his recent comments about autism ignore the progress and hope for children that parents, teachers, and advocates have fostered for years. His words carried harmful past stigmas. I’m reminded of Bruno Bettelheim, a psychologist who, for years, claimed autism was due to cold “refrigerator” mothers. Kennedy’s comments were reminiscent of that time.
From ABC News, he said:
“Autism destroys families, and more importantly, it destroys our most incredible resource, which is our children. They’ll 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.”
Julia Métraux in Mother Jones, RFK Jr. Says There Are No Autistic Poets. We Asked an Autistic Poet, says:
“He’s trying to eradicate support, especially with education, that could help people live the kind of lives where they do get to write poetry.”
Children with autism and their families need inclusive public schools that provide skills and education for bright futures. To date, success and a better understanding of autism are due in part to the acceptance and celebration of children with autism, with the help of well-qualified teachers, principals, counselors, and outside services.
And what about inclusion under IDEA? Inclusion is the ‘I’ in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), harshly attacked under the Trump administration. What’s especially frightening is that those with autism who rely on such support face the possible loss of it.
We also learned that Kennedy wants to create a disease registry to amass data and track Americans. According to CBS News, various outside research groups will get grants and access to the records to produce autism studies. It’s unclear who that will be. Many find this and the way Kennedy speaks of autism creepy, with echoes of eugenics. (See: Autistic Self-Advocacy Network)
Belief that Vaccines Cause Autism
Research to find the cause of autism has been ongoing for decades (see, for example, this 2014 systematic review), including studies to investigate environmental toxins. More are welcome, but it’s hard to trust research Kennedy might commission, considering his past biases and his apparent lack of understanding of autism language.
RFK appears to believe still that vaccines cause autism, a conviction playing out across the country with a measles outbreak that has caused the unnecessary death of two children, and now a possible return of whooping cough. The people Kennedy surrounds himself with include those who are often controversial and have questionable qualifications, and who appear to share his views.
Kennedy has followers who buy into the long-rejected study by British researcher Andrew Wakefield, linking autism to the MMR vaccine, which was retracted by The Lancet after causing much harm.
Brian Deer, author of The Doctor Who Fooled the World: Science, Deception, and the War on Vaccines, has linked RFK to Wakefield, saying:
…they basically run this movement together. Kennedy, Andrew Wakefield and another man, Del Bigtree, who works with them both, are, if you like, the innermost circle of this movement, which has evolved in recent years.
The concern is that we will now have additional biased studies funded by taxpayers, which could lead to further confusion and fear, potentially with deadly consequences. One can read about this and other concerns regarding RFK’s beliefs in a BBC report: Fact-checking RFK Jr.’s views on health policy.
A Lesson from Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, RFK Jr.’s aunt, advocated for children and adults with disabilities through the Special Olympics. Some believe it has become an ableist program. Whatever you think of the Special Olympics now, it has brought us a long way in recognizing talent, embracing the power of acceptance, and helping to create a more inclusive world.
Students with autism or other differences are often capable of playing general sports, and with inclusion, they should be allowed to do so. But competition for general sports is tough, and allowing children and adults with disabilities to have another event to shine, to share their extraordinary talents with the world, lifts us all!
I heard Eunice speak in 1974, when my college, Central Michigan University, was selected to host the International Special Olympics for the following year. The place was abuzz with positivity and heartfelt joy, and highly skilled young athletes and older competitors vied for the gold. I was honored to help with several events, including track and bowling.
Eunice, who was down-to-earth and exuded kindness, cheered for the competitors and all who worked to get the event off the ground. I shall never forget that day.
Here’s a 2015 account of the 1975 event for the anniversary.
CMU President William Boyd (left) and Special Olympics President Eunice Kennedy Shriver (right) at the 1974 Special Olympics Michigan Summer State Games
Years later, my Florida school district partnered with the Very Special Arts Festival, and my students, including several with autism, participated by displaying their beautiful artwork.
For me, Special Olympics and the Very Special Arts Festival, nonprofit organizations, reinforce the point that every child must have access to a vibrant arts program that includes drawing, music, painting, dance, and the performing arts, as well as opportunities to compete in sports. Public schools should be about this.
The Kennedys have brought this awareness to us, but sadly, these aren’t the issues that those in power, like RFK Jr., prioritize when it comes to children with autism or those with differences.
While research is always necessary, RFK Jr. is neither a researcher nor a doctor, and he ventures way too far outside his lane. In the case of autism, parents, specialists, teachers, and the children and adults with autism deserve better.
The movement to lift America as accepting of rich diversity has evolved too far to backslide now. There’s still work to do! The nation must move forward with credible research and hope for a better future for children and adults with autism and disabilities and differences of any kind.
Much of this involves helping others become more accepting and understanding, and it can be incredibly rewarding for everyone, as we have seen and experienced through programs like Special Olympics, inclusive public schools, and other community initiatives.
If RFK, Jr. and others can’t be a positive part of this movement forward for America’s children and adults, they must step down.
HE IS NOT A DOCTOR!!! It’s maddening that this fool could have any power or sway in America’s medical decisions. Over my 32 years of teaching HS Spanish, I taught many autistic kids who were “mainstreamed” in my classes & thrived while learning Spanish. What he said about autistic people was blatantly wrong & tragically irresponsible & he should be scorned & fired immediately.
Thanks for sharing and letting us know your positive experience teaching Spanish to students with autism. I am in your camp and believe he should be replaced.
I remember the 1974 Summer Special Olympics– as well as Bill Boyd, best college president ever. He marched with us, carrying a candle in the 1969 October Moratorium, through downtown Mt. Pleasant and back to campus.
It was such a big deal. That’s funny, Nancy. We probably bumped elbows. I loved CMU. I remember the band and football halftime performances. I think the stadium was new.
It was nice to meet you!