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HHS planning studies on autism spectrum disorder, RFK Jr. says<\/p>\n
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the agency plans to study possible environmental links to autism spectrum disorder.<\/p>\n
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.<\/a> \u2212 who has long spread debunked claims surrounding autism and vaccines \u2212 suggested compensating families of some Americans with autism, calling them “injured.”<\/p>\n “Bottom line, the more than 25% of people who have severe autism will never go on a date, write a poem, live independently, or have a job,” Kennedy said in an April 18 social media post<\/a>. “We need to identify the exposures that are causing this epidemic and compensate the families of the injured.”<\/p>\n USA TODAY has reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services for more information.<\/p>\n The post comes after Kennedy during a speech about rising autism rates that some kids diagnosed with autism will “never play baseball” or “write a poem.”<\/p>\n “They\u2019ll never go out on a date,” he continued. “Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted.”<\/p>\n Though some applauded<\/a> Kennedy’s push for answers, the comments drew wide-reaching accusations of ableism<\/a> from many Americans with autism, their loved ones and advocacy groups.<\/p>\n Autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed based on challenges with social skills, communication and repetitive behaviors. It is a spectrum, meaning symptoms vary widely, with a percentage unable to communicate at all and others highly successful in some areas of life.<\/p>\n Kennedy later clarified in an appearance on Fox News that he was referring to a specific quarter of those diagnosed with autism.<\/p>\n “There are many kids with autism who are doing well. They\u2019re holding down jobs, they\u2019re getting pay checks, they\u2019re living independently,” Kennedy said. “But I was referring specifically to that 25% \u2013 the group that is nonverbal.”<\/p>\n Some people with autism spectrum disorder have more severe behaviors, which could include self-harm, such as biting or head-banging, according to the\u00a0Mayo Clinic<\/a>. Others with autism may be nonverbal. The National Autism Association<\/a> estimates that around 40% of children diagnosed with autism do not speak.<\/p>\n Kennedy has promised to determine the cause of autism<\/a>, telling President Donald Trump<\/a> in an April 10 Cabinet meeting the government will know the answer by September.<\/p>\n