Parents of autistic kids speak out amid surge in cases… as RFK Jr vows to expose 'hidden toxin' behind crisis

Robert F Kennedy's bold but highly controversial promise to find the 'toxin' which he claims is fueling autism has caused mixed reactions in the autism community.

On Wednesday the health secretary promised to show why autism cases are rising by September and revealed his researchers will be looking at environmental toxins like pesticides, mold and ultrasound scans.

DailyMail.com spoke with nearly a dozen parents with autistic children and adults with autism who were hopeful about Kennedy's plans to look at environmental factors.

But many said the secretary is demonizing autism and portraying autistic people as 'a tragedy' or having a condition that needs to be fixed.

They also feared Kennedy is peddling misinformation and looking at 'dead ends,' meaning his team's research won't come up with scientifically sound answers.

Most experts believe autism is a complex condition largely shaped by genetics and multiple other contributing factors, rather than a single toxin as RFK Jr claims.

RFK Jr hosted his first press conference as Department of Health and Human Services boss after CDC data should one in 31 US kids have autism - a staggering increase from one in 150 just two decades ago.

He called the surge an 'epidemic' and claimed 'autism destroys families and more importantly destroys our greatest resource which is children.'

Kathleen Schnier, a university provost in Colorado whose 12-year-old son Nathaniel has autism, told DailyMail.com: '[Kennedy's] speech was laced in fear and ableism. To say that “autism destroys families” is completely derogatory.

'His comments that autism is a disease is completely wrong. It is not a disease; it is a disorder that presents differently in every individual.

'Calling it a disease has an intended and chilling effect - that we would not have to accommodate people. Autism cannot be cured.'

Kennedy also claimed that autism cases were not only becoming more common, but more severe.

He said about one in four autistic children are 'profoundly' disabled, meaning they are nonverbal and may be completely dependent on others for basic care.

'These are kids who will never pay taxes, they'll never hold a job, they'll never play baseball, they'll never write a poem, they'll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted,' Kennedy said.

Several parents told DailyMail.com that while different families have different support needs, autism is not a 'tragic' condition.

Charles 'Kwesi' Neblatt, a National Guard servicemember in California and President of Community Projects, Inc, is the father of a young autistic child who is minimally verbal and will require long-term support as they grow up.

He told DailyMail.com: 'When Secretary Kennedy describes autism as something that “destroys families,” I think he’s projecting fear rather than listening to the actual experiences of families like mine.

'Raising a child with autism is not easy, but it’s not tragic either. My child is brilliant in ways the world doesn’t always see.

'The system can be destructive. The ignorance can be destructive. But my child? No.'

Researchers in the new CDC report said improvements in early identification of autism 'have been apparent' in recent years and could explain the surge.

However, Kennedy estimated as many as 85 percent of cases could instead be linked to environmental exposures.

FDA commissioner Dr Marty Makary told Megyn Kelly this week: 'I think it is the cumulative burden of all of these exposures, environmental and dietary, that alter the microbiome.'

He said because 90 percent of mood-regulating hormone serotonin is produced in the gut, certain bacteria and contaminants could prevent it from getting to the brain, leading to neurological issues.

However, Dr Makary did not specify which toxins specifically could cause this.

'We have to look at everything,' he said.

Lauren Chaloupka, a parent of a child with autism child living in Finland and creator of the app NeuroParent, called Kennedy's autism pledge 'deeply harmful.'

'Autism is not an epidemic. It's a neurodevelopmental difference. Calling it something that "destroys families" erases the complexity and humanity of the children we're raising and the families working hard to support them.

'Yes, some families need high levels of care and support. But sweeping language like this flattens everyone's individual experience and reinforces the idea that our kids are "tragedies" instead of people.

Marla Bautista, mother of a 15-year-old autistic son in Florida, told this website she worries 'RFK Jr's spread of misinformation will create an even greater divide and more targeted prejudice against children like mine.'

Kennedy's pledge has also drawn ire from autistic adults.

Shea Belsky, a 28-year-old autism advocate and software engineer in Massachusetts, was diagnosed with autism as a child.

He slammed Kennedy for suggesting autistic people can never pay taxes, hold a steady job or get married, as that was not the case for him and many of his autistic peers.

Belsky said: '[RFK Jr's] recent comments indicating that autistic people will never date, never hold a job and never pay taxes are in direct opposition to my own lived experiences. I have been gainfully employed for a long time, and recently married the love of my life.

'To suggest that no autistic person will ever be able to hold a meaningful job or maintain meaningful relationships is outright wrong and directly conflicts with my own experiences.

'The use of the word "never" is a significant blow autistic self advocates such as myself; we are living proof that autistic people are more than capable of accomplishing our dreams, living autonomous and fully independent lives, and being able to stand up for ourselves.'

Kory Andreas, a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland, has two children on the autism and ADHD spectrum, as well as one neurotypical child and one 'to be determined.'

The mother-of-four has also been diagnosed with autism and ADHD herself.

Andreas told DailyMail.com: 'I can say with certainty my family is not an epidemic. What RFK Jr is doing is dangerous. Framing Autism as something that “destroys families” feeds into outdated, ableist stereotypes that cause considerable harm.

'When you tell the world that Autism is a disease or a public health crisis, you are justifying fear, exclusion, and medical trauma. You are feeding the false narrative that Autistic people need to be “fixed” or prevented, rather than supported.

'This kind of rhetoric isn’t just offensive, it holds power to shape public opinion and policy.'

Along with many autism experts, families affected by the condition told DailyMail.com the rise in diagnoses is likely a product of better diagnostic tools and greater acceptance of autistic people.

Neblatt, however, agreed with Kennedy that environmental risk factors 'warrant serious attention.'

He said: 'I'm open to research that helps all our children live healthier lives. I believe environmental injustice is real.

'I've deployed with the National Guard to protect communities after fires, floods and chemical leaks. I've seen firsthand how certain zip codes bear the brunt of contamination.'

He suggested Kennedy focus not just on lab testing but also visit areas with chemical labs or other facilities causing contamination.

Neblatt said about the upcoming studies: 'But if this becomes another excuse to avoid investing in care and services, then it’s performative at best.'

Christina Collura, CEO and founder of Creative Beginning, a company that makes puzzles for autistic children, is a single mother to two boys ages 12 and 15.

Her youngest, Luca, was diagnosed with autism at age three.

Collura told DailyMail.com: 'As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, I always appreciate when conversations around autism include the lived experiences of actual families. That said, RFK Jr's comments—particularly when they lean into broad generalizations—can feel dismissive or even harmful.

'While I do believe it's important to ask questions and research factors that could affect neurological development, that pursuit should never come at the cost of respecting and valuing autistic individuals just as they are.

'Any narrative that frames autism solely as something to be feared or prevented can contribute to stigma and misunderstanding.'

Parents have also criticized the strict timeline Kennedy has promised for providing answers about autism causes, as the secretary said: 'we will have some answers by September... there will be an answer for the American people very, very quickly.'

Schnier, who works in academia, said: 'There is no possible scientific way he could find out what causes autism by September. This is why we need professional scientists and doctors to do the job.

'Causality can only be determined in a scientific environment and unless they are planning on experimenting on humans they cannot come up with any valid or reliable conclusions.'

Andreas believes the government should focus more on providing support for autistic people rather than trying to prevent the condition.

She said: 'Yes, some individuals need more support, so let’s talk about funding, access, inclusion, and real services. But blaming mold, food dyes, or ultrasounds doesn’t get us any closer to helping actual people.

'It just distracts from the truth: Autistic people have always existed. We’re just finally being seen.'

Chaloupka offered a similar sentiment.

She said: 'If RFK Jr wants to help families like mine, he can start by investing in support that actually meets us where we are... not by chasing outdated theories that feed fear. Autistic children don't need saving.'