‘Laughable, if it weren’t so dangerous’: your responses to RFK Jr’s autism stance | US news

When Robert F Kennedy Junior announced a specialty project To follow the health of people with autism, the reaction of people with autism, friends and families was shocked and angry.

They also expressed dismay and anxiety about the incorrect and “strange” American Minister of Health’s approach to autism spectrum disorder.

Kennedy, in his leadership of the United States Ministry health Humanitarian services prompted the leading organizational official on vaccines, launched thousands of employees, put forward a plan to end support services for the disabled, and issue wrong information about the “autism” epidemic that “destroys our greatest resource”, referring to children.

“We have to realize that we do this for our children, and we need to put an end to him,” Kennedy said in an interview. press conference.

Defenders say that such opinions are not a step with knowledge and approach of the public people in understanding, and acceptance and support for people with autism, expressing concern about the future of health in the United States under the leadership of Kennedy.

The Guardian International readers fear that this speech will expand beyond the borders of the United States.

“This is not just a random blog that says this,” said Seth Taylor, 34, who is an expert onto, a political volunteer and autistic defender in Georgia. Taylor said Kennedy has an “important position” that oversees health and humanitarian agencies. “RFK JR needs to decline his observations, kill [autism] Record, sitting actually with people with autism like me and better understands us. “

Almost 200 people continue with the guardian to express their concerns about the comments of the Minister of Health and Roads that are dismantled with critical research and support services.

They also highlighted the methods of autism formed their identities and their lives.

Taylor was first diagnosed with autism as a two -year -old child. He said that his world “opened, thanks to the early diagnosis, treatment, and my mother who saw my mind a defect, but rather something different and beautiful.”

“Autism pays excessive focus and invitation, which proves the nervous diversity is strength, not a tragedy, as RFK JR suggests … [and] Show that people with autism belong to leadership. unite Not a barrier. It is part of what I am, and I will not trade it for the sake of the world. “

When Kennedy blames families for “environmental toxins” although the autism caused by genetics with an overwhelming majority, it sustains the stigma of shame about this situation. The search for “treatment” distracts from the “real needs” of people with autism such as services, support, residence and dignity in schools, workplaces and societies.

Leanne Maskell, 32, coach, author and author in London, said Kennedy’s speech “will be almost laughing, if it is not very dangerous.”

“Autism is a nervous development that affects the structure of the brain. It is like a different operating system, such as Google Vs Apple – not something to be fixed.”

Jeremy, 36, is a truck driver in Illinois. Jeremy and others asked in this article not to get to know the last name, or use the borrowed names indicated by *, in order to talk about sensitive health matters.

Jeremy and his wife have autism, and he works in each of their families. He said he hopes Kennedy would understand the situation in which he is harmful.

Jeremy said: “I find his conclusions about a state of doubt that he had conducted any real research on insult,” Jeremy said. “Acting like my entire direct family is part of the epidemic is anger and terrifying.”

Jeremy and his wife are concerned about the database of autistic people who are assembled, and they are afraid that it will be used to send people to work camps, as Kennedy did. Proposal Carry out people who take legal and illegal drugs.

Extreme autism database that relies on personal data “risks HIPAA Taylor said: “Violations and echoes are to improve offspring,” Taylor said.

Some individuals and parents are now wondering whether obtaining a diagnosis is worth the risk of tracking in the database or facing more scrutiny and discrimination.

Jeff*, 43 years old, Cyber ​​Security Adviser in Wisconsin, had a date for autism test in May. “I canceled the appointment when hearing the RFK JR plans,” he said. “I don’t want my potential diagnosis in a government record, as it may return to chase me.”

For some, a diagnosis is required to qualify for some supportive services.

One of the children of Roxy Rayman, two years, has an official diagnosis and the state considers it handicapped.

“For her until she gets any kind of help, they get her classification, which is unfortunate – but she gets physical therapy and speech therapy because of this, and we have met some of the really interesting people who love my child as much as I do.”

“Children are not broken. She cannot write a three-year-old poem, but she adds to the poem of my life. The idea that people have been reduced to whether they will pay taxes or not-and this is what contributes to society? It is not the joy of someone or the impressions they provide, all things that cannot be verified in the public budget?”

Kennedy also said that autism has exploded in recent decades, claiming that when he was a child, a few people were diagnosed.

But dozens of people told the guardian that they were only diagnosed as adults, due to the low stigma, changes in how to diagnose ASD, and more knowledge among the public about what autism is.

Elizabeth*, 77, a retired teacher in Oregon, was diagnosed only at the age of 75 after she made her a series of YouTube videos to understand the issues she dealt with throughout her life.

“Since I was diagnosed with autism, I have been re -evaluating my life through a different lens.” ))

Brian, 70 years old, a retired teacher, teacher and librarian in Massachusetts, was officially diagnosed later in life, in his fifties. He has carried very invasive procedures as a child, including holes in his head to “relieve pressure” and stop “seizures”, as his behaviors are believed to be associated with epilepsy.

Brian said: “As it turned out, my mind was trying to find his way.”

While autism spectrum disorders are now diagnosed at higher rates, they are still Diagnosed.

“It is difficult to diagnose ASD as an adult in Alabama. Even children can be on a waiting list for years,” said Brian McLilland, 35, who lives in Birmingham and is married to Riman.

McLilland said that he and his children are “individuals, like others, in a misunderstanding world trying to stay.” “Publicly saying without evidence that autism is something that can be prevented from the reality that we already have and perhaps we always have. It removes our right place between humanity and makes us a problem that needs to be solved.”

Some of those who support Kennedy explained his references to an “environmental poison” as a symbol of vaccines.

Kat, 42, in Illinois, abandoned the corporate profession to take care of her son Ian, who suffers from autism. Now, it helps support other families with autism.

Ian was delayed from an early age, and he was diagnosed with autism before his third birthday. He is not talking, but he learned to use a device to communicate.

She said, “I don’t need a new son. I got good.” “We don’t want to take autism from it, even if it is possible, which is not possible. What we want is more support.”

Ian wants to have more support options – good options that provide him with options, just like anyone else.

“We need well trained professionals and trainers completely to work with him. He needs safe and supportive living situations when he is adult. He needs training training and opening jobs, and he must be able to keep his acquired money without being punished by the government to form a living fee (we hope).