RFK Disputes Results of CDC Autism Prevalence Study Citing “Common Sense” but No Actual Science
(April 16, 2025 – New York) This morning, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. held a press conference during which he argued without evidence that the increased prevalence in autism diagnosis is linked to environmental toxins and contradicted the findings of a just released CDC report (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/ss/ss7402a1.htm) from its Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM) that clearly stated – based on multiple data sources – that increased prevalence is a function of better screening and diagnosis, and access to services.
“This report is the most convincing evidence yet that changes in factors like access to services and de-stigmatization of ASD are leading to the increases in prevalence,” said Autism Science Foundation Chief Science Officer Dr. Alycia Halladay. “But changes in prevalence should not drive how or what we study to find the causes of autism. Data from large groups does not indicate what causes autism in an individual person.”
The report notes that prevalence varies widely by location, and that states with the highest autism prevalence also have the most resources devoted to early identification. An area in California near San Diego had the highest prevalence at 1 in 19, while an area of Texas had a prevalence of 1 in 103. There was also significant geographic variation in the methods used to diagnose a child with ASD. The ADDM Network measures prevalence by examining education and health records. Records were examined in 16 states and included more than 274,000 children.
The Secretary referred to autism as “a preventable disease” and committed to finding the environmental toxin that causes autism. While we agree with the Secretary’s stated goal of finding the causes of autism, he made a series of clear misstatements during his press event, including stating that adults with profound autism don’t exist.
“I would urge the HHS Secretary to come and meet my 61-year-old brother Steven, who was diagnosed with autism in 1969,” stated Autism Science Foundation President Alison Singer. “He currently lives in a group home with 5 other adult men with profound autism. Back in the 1970s, people with autism weren’t visible because, unfortunately, most of them were institutionalized.”
RFK also falsely asserted that environmental factors are the primary cause of autism. An overwhelming amount of evidence points to a genetic cause. In about 20% of autism cases, one genetic variant can explain autism features. In other cases, there may be multiple genetic mutations interacting to cause autism. In addition, we know autism runs in families. Siblings of a child with autism have a fifteen times greater likelihood of diagnosis, and nieces and nephews of a person with autism have a 3 times increased risk rate. Researchers are currently examining how environmental factors work independently and in conjunction with genes to cause autism.
About the Autism Science Foundation
The Autism Science Foundation (ASF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides funding to scientists and organizations conducting autism research. ASF also provides information about autism to the general public and serves to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders and the needs of individuals and families affected by autism. To learn more about the Autism Science Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.autismsciencefoundation.org.
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