RFK Jr Insists Cause of Autism 'Epidemic' in Study Update

During a news conference on autism on Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that “genes do not cause epidemics” and that environmental exposure does.

#rfkjr #autism #newsweek
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[anitaholst]

There should be criminal charges and mass lawsuits against companies who knowingly peddle harmful products that consumers cannot possibly know are harmful.

[andrearojas]

My adorable son is one of them 😢. He is 15 years old now. I learned to love him as he is. Blessing for all the kids with Autism.

[MadinaWaMeelod]

Keep pushing, my love. My brother and son have Autism ❤ Making it a priority is amazing of you!!!

[lauriegriffin]

It's so weird that our news media doesn't care about autism 😮

[joanwatkins]

Thank you Secretary Kennedy - we have needed this kind of serious work for far too long!!! I admire your courage - a lot of obstacles being thrown your way!

[mcapital]

Can we please address CANCER after that and support Dr Thomas Seyfried from Boston college. He's got the resolution to this disease. 1800 Americans are dying of cancer a day. This needs to be addressed ASAP

[MICHELEGONZALES-zzlb]

We are parents of an Autistic child. Thank you so much for doing what your doing to fix this! Blessings to you and your family!

[MO-npdo]

Factory farming/industrial farming. "Spray it with chemicals that then run into your drinking water that then last forever." Not to mention, then the livestock eats the food treated with said chemical, then also drink the water, as well.Plastic doesn't help.

[hhottsfishing]

It's about time we have ppl doing true work FOR THE PEOPLE and not for themselves or the hive.

[JenniferLogsdon-ifwq]

They shouldn’t just be required to move it. They should be held accountable for the millions of life they’ve destroyed and killed.

[lindacake]

100% correct!!! So thankful we have this man working for us all!!!

[ef]

Thank you so much for taking on the assignment. I am so grateful. I grew up next door to two autistic boys. Our hearts were as broken as their family, and did our best to make them feel welcome. Two other siblings in that family were autism free and both had good careers when they grew up.

[roberthufford-jy]

Great job RFK Autism is a cruel affliction on our children! Stop autism! TRUMP VANCE MAKING AMERICA GREAT

[georgerooks]

School Psychologist speaking here - he is right on this one. There is something lurking out there that is fundamentally damaging millions of children.

[OnlyOneTruth]

The comments are just unbelievable. I worked in healthcare for over 20 years. I also have a son with high functioning autism and comorbidities. Most of the people commenting have no damn clue what they are even talking about. Until you have LIVED IT you have no idea. Most people with autism have comorbidities like ADHD, OCD, mood disorders and other mental disorders. Some can speak and say the wrong things, some are non verbal, some can’t care for themselves and some have an exceptionally high IQ but can’t tie their shoes, most are awkward at best, they can’t express emotions but have plenty of emotions and can’t understand why they don’t have friends or cannot keep a job. Sheldon on the Big Bang theory show would be one in a million. This is not a natural disorder and is on the rise at a rate that is not based on population percentage. My son is an especially difficult case ( I’ve been told many times by professionals in the field) and the patients I saw were all absolutely different even though they all shared an autism diagnosis. I spoke with many parents and we all agree that the challenges related to the autism can be the most difficult thing you will ever encounter. Some children grow up and have no problem getting a highly skilled job making an excellent living yet struggle continually with relationships, the other side is that they cannot navigate a neurotypical environment and never make friendships, people think their weird and they act out violently or abnormal thereby reinforcing this thinking. It is an extremely difficult life for those of us with autistic children and being the parents of those children. We cry because we don’t know what some will do when we are gone, how they will support themselves or who will love them. It’s an epidemic at this point. They acted like Covid was a big deal, THIS is an even bigger deal for long term society and at the rate it is going will affect everyone alive at some point. Don’t ever discount what a parent with a child with this diagnosis has gone through and don’t pretend to know because you watched some movie or watched a tv show to know how difficult and devastating it can be. All cases are not as difficult as others but most have significant implications in the lives of those with autistic and those that love and care for them. The school system doesn’t want to deal with them either unless they are quiet and make perfect grades and keep their head down so don’t get me started on that!

[gmab]

Thank you & may God continue to bless & protect you! You are a blessing to so many!!

[RobertMcallister-kc]

With three kids on the autism spectrum, it’s refreshing to hear that it’s not my fault! I’ve heard it all: “What are you feeding them? What are they watching on TV? What are you...?” They are truly wonderful, kind, and loving kids, autism or no autism. In fact, two of them are now adults thriving in life; they must have been fed something good because you should see them—fit as butcher's dogs!
Those with autism face challenges, and those who understand know the reality. Families and parents endure their own struggles; it often feels like you need hard hats in homes where someone is caring for individuals with autism.
And let’s address the notion that autism is like the common cold—everyone has it. No, they don’t! You can shake off a common cold in a weekend. I genuinely hope we find solutions; improving the lives of citizens is crucial. We need pressure, accountability, and real change. This is something that individuals with autism often find difficult—change. Do politicians realize they talk about change, but will it be for the better? Or do they struggle with change too?

[finley]

God Bless RFK jr and Thank You as well ❤

[AlixMcGee]

I’m 36, and just now getting diagnosed! I struggled my ENTIRE LIFE! I was SEVERELY bullied bc I was “different”! I wouldn’t change my brain, bc I genuinely believe I’m a kinder person with an EXTREMELY “strong sense of justice”. I do believe I would have been able to get the help I needed, had I known earlier! But it is what it is..🤷🏼‍♀️ I struggled with EVERYTHING! I’m intelligent, but I’m so easily manipulated and I can’t escape how naive and overly optimistic and trusting I am! It’s hard being let down so often! I NEVER know when I’m being lied to! I’m constantly hurt, bc I’m misinterpreting facial expressions! That’s now a work in progress! At 36….Im just now seeing how much frustration I have, simply bc I can’t distinguish facial expressions! I believe it was done TO ME! I don’t understand “tone” nor do I properly express myself! I have meltdowns that are UNAVOIDABLE, now! I am so ashamed of myself when it happens, especially bc I wasn’t raised “atypical”! I CONSTANTLY believed and was told that I was not enough! Not good enough! Not “smart” enough bc I struggled so endlessly with schooling! I’m an identical twin, which means that my autism has been VERY apparent! I was simply labeled the bad student, the “sensitive” kid, the “annoying” one! However, no one ever even mentioned or considered autism! We HAVE to work on having easier access to autism diagnostics! For children AND adults who have struggled their entire lives! I wouldn’t have been so hard on myself! I wouldn’t have struggled with so much! I wouldn’t have questioned my character or personal identity! I would have been more patient with myself! I would have been able to understand myself and love myself and would have been more comfortable in my own skin! I’m FINALLY starting to genuinely enjoy being myself!!! I still struggle, but for anyone worried about their kids with autism….I didn’t speak until I was 4, but I now own a rather successful business! Dropped out of school, but today, I employ a ton of my friends and they’re all doing well! Thats something I NEVER thought I’d ever be capable of! I have been with my husband for nearly 20 years! I’m the proud parent of 3 BEAUTIFUL children! I will be helping to welcome our first grandchild, in May! I learned how to support others and communicate when I’m struggling! I learned how to prevent some of the meltdowns! I know that’s not going to be realistic for everyone who has autism…but I was able to learn to speak, although maybe a little late! I was able to make my life EXACTLY what I wanted and NEEDED! I work extremely hard to set boundaries and learn from my mistakes! I’m honest and I love so deeply! There is hope! We might learn a little slower, but we LEARN! We LOVE and we’re capable of amazing things! 🫶🏼 I do need some answers, though! Imma need them kinda soon! I’m PRAYING for this!

[lindaclark]

I remember my granddad saying "plastics will be the downfall of humanity" in 1960! PLASTICS are NEW to our environment. Coincide plastic with the appearance of Autism.