RFK Jr. Promises to Find the “Cause of Autism” by September 2025—Here’s Why That’s Dangerous
Earlier this week, RFK Jr. made a public promise to “identify the cause of autism” by September 2025.
As an autistic adult, a registered nurse, and someone who has spent decades working in autism education and advocacy, I need to be clear about what this is: political theater, dressed up as science. And it’s not just misleading—it’s dangerous.
Please watch my short YouTube video explaining why this is inappropriate and dangerous.
We’ve been studying autism for decades. Researchers have invested billions of dollars into understanding its roots. What we’ve learned is that autism is highly heritable—meaning it runs in families.
But we also know it’s not just genetics. Prenatal factors—like advanced parental age, complications during pregnancy, infections like CMV or rubella, and premature birth—can increase the likelihood of autism. So can early-life exposure to high levels of heavy metals. This is what the actual science says: autism arises from a complex interplay between genes and environment. Not a single smoking gun. Not a single villain to vanquish.
So when RFK Jr. promises to "solve" autism in 17 months, he's ignoring decades of data. He’s also reinforcing the idea that autism is a disease to be eradicated—rather than a valid neurotype that deserves understanding, accommodation, and support.
Let’s talk about where his research dollars are going. RFK Jr. isn’t quietly funding studies through established medical institutions. He’s redirecting public health resources toward fringe researchers and discredited theories. This kind of platforming gives weight to misinformation—and contributes to real harm, including:
- Delayed diagnoses for autistic children
- Distrust in vaccines and public health initiatives
- Increased stigma against autistic people like me
I’m not afraid of science. I’m not afraid of asking hard questions. What I am afraid of is what happens when we let someone with political power treat autistic lives as puzzles to be solved instead of people to be supported.
Autism doesn’t need a cure. What it needs is compassion. Evidence-based supports. Real inclusion. And leaders who listen to autistic people, not just talk about us.
We’re not a mystery to be cracked open. We’re already here. We’ve been here. And we’re not going anywhere.
— Kara Nash
@TheAutisticAutismConsultant