Discussion about the autism prevalence press conference is ramping up much more today. Here's my take:
Imagine hearing a government official on TV talking about a hurricane or a tornado who says, "Homes were damaged, lives were lost," and instead of feeling compassion for those families affected, you said, "MY home is fine! None of MY fri…
Discussion about the autism prevalence press conference is ramping up much more today. Here's my take:
Imagine hearing a government official on TV talking about a hurricane or a tornado who says, "Homes were damaged, lives were lost," and instead of feeling compassion for those families affected, you said, "MY home is fine! None of MY friends and family were killed!"
That's what's happening in the wake of HHS Secretary Kennedy's speech about the CDC's autism prevalence report.
Just because 'not every' person with an autism diagnosis suffers in the same way, that doesn't mean we should deny the suffering of the ones who do.
Yes, the autism advocacy groups are especially riled up about this. They’re all pointing to examples of high-functioning autistic people like it’s some kind of gotcha moment.
Kennedy isn’t talking about autistic people who struggle but can get along and even thrive in society. He’s talking about the profoundly autistic who are unable to care for themselves or communicate with others. These advocacy groups know this and are intentionally trying to discredit him, as though autism was a lifestyle and he’s hurting their public image.
Do they not want to figure out what’s going on here? It’s disgusting.
On X there were many people (and bots and shills) twisting Kennedy's words to make it sound like he was saying ALL autistic people were severely disabled.
Kennedy specifically said about 25% of autistic children are nonverbal, and his comments about kids never having a job, going on a date, or even going to the toilet unassisted were specifically about a subset of those 25%.
AMEN! I just had a discussion with a friend of my daughter who has a child diagnosed with autism. The child is pretty high functioning, and she took offense. She’s done “tons of research” and follows “real scientist,” so she’s offended that “someone who has no idea what he’s talking about” said they would have some answers by September. I told her I couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t be ecstatic for anyone to put a huge spotlight on it.
Same. My friend, (mother of an adult son who is low functioning with autism), has extreme TDS so anything that has DJT’s hand on it is poison in her opinion.
They’re all saying, “My child doesn’t need to be fixed,” while at the same time talking about the difficulties of raising an autistic child (before RFKjr.’s announcement.) Yes, it’s right they would love their child and see many delightful qualities. And yes, there’s probably no cure for those with autism, but do they really not want others to avoid those same difficulties?
On X, Elizabeth Warren said RFK Jr's statements were all "lies" and called for him to step down. She had ZERO specifics.
On X the commenters are largely unscreened, and a lot are nasty, but there were a lot calling her out for the large amount of money she gets from pharma, and asking what in particular she didn't like about Mr. Kennedy's statements.
The "MY home is fine!" comment reminds me of the reaction to Covid shutdowns 5 years ago. I expressed anger and dismay at how so many people's lives and livelihoods would be badly disrupted - and some friends (in comfortable retirement like me) replied, " Oh no, WE'LL be fine!" I was gobsmacked.
Discussion about the autism prevalence press conference is ramping up much more today. Here's my take:
Imagine hearing a government official on TV talking about a hurricane or a tornado who says, "Homes were damaged, lives were lost," and instead of feeling compassion for those families affected, you said, "MY home is fine! None of MY friends and family were killed!"
That's what's happening in the wake of HHS Secretary Kennedy's speech about the CDC's autism prevalence report.
Just because 'not every' person with an autism diagnosis suffers in the same way, that doesn't mean we should deny the suffering of the ones who do.
Yes, the autism advocacy groups are especially riled up about this. They’re all pointing to examples of high-functioning autistic people like it’s some kind of gotcha moment.
Kennedy isn’t talking about autistic people who struggle but can get along and even thrive in society. He’s talking about the profoundly autistic who are unable to care for themselves or communicate with others. These advocacy groups know this and are intentionally trying to discredit him, as though autism was a lifestyle and he’s hurting their public image.
Do they not want to figure out what’s going on here? It’s disgusting.
On X there were many people (and bots and shills) twisting Kennedy's words to make it sound like he was saying ALL autistic people were severely disabled.
Kennedy specifically said about 25% of autistic children are nonverbal, and his comments about kids never having a job, going on a date, or even going to the toilet unassisted were specifically about a subset of those 25%.
Somebody is making money, so...
AMEN! I just had a discussion with a friend of my daughter who has a child diagnosed with autism. The child is pretty high functioning, and she took offense. She’s done “tons of research” and follows “real scientist,” so she’s offended that “someone who has no idea what he’s talking about” said they would have some answers by September. I told her I couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t be ecstatic for anyone to put a huge spotlight on it.
Same. My friend, (mother of an adult son who is low functioning with autism), has extreme TDS so anything that has DJT’s hand on it is poison in her opinion.
They’re all saying, “My child doesn’t need to be fixed,” while at the same time talking about the difficulties of raising an autistic child (before RFKjr.’s announcement.) Yes, it’s right they would love their child and see many delightful qualities. And yes, there’s probably no cure for those with autism, but do they really not want others to avoid those same difficulties?
On X, Elizabeth Warren said RFK Jr's statements were all "lies" and called for him to step down. She had ZERO specifics.
On X the commenters are largely unscreened, and a lot are nasty, but there were a lot calling her out for the large amount of money she gets from pharma, and asking what in particular she didn't like about Mr. Kennedy's statements.
The "MY home is fine!" comment reminds me of the reaction to Covid shutdowns 5 years ago. I expressed anger and dismay at how so many people's lives and livelihoods would be badly disrupted - and some friends (in comfortable retirement like me) replied, " Oh no, WE'LL be fine!" I was gobsmacked.