US health secretary bucks expert opinion as research shows rise in diagnoses due to better tools and screening

The US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, said in his first press conference that the significant and recent rise in autism diagnoses was evidence of an “epidemic” caused by an “environmental toxin”, which would be rooted out by September.

Autism advocates and health experts have repeatedly stated the rise in diagnoses is related to better recognition of the condition, changing diagnostic criteria and better access to screening. Many also reject the label of an “epidemic”, arguing that neurodivergence should be valued.

RFK disagreed with the consensus of health researchers, and said that “we need to move away” from the idea that the increase in autism prevalence “is simply due to better diagnostic tools”.

  • warbond@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    Plastics, lol. It’s definitely gonna be vaccines. They have practically said as much in interviews. That’s why they know when the “search for a cause” is going to end, they already have one in mind, and it’s the same one RFK Jr. has always pushed.

    • Spacehooks@reddthat.com
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      6 days ago

      Sadly you are very likely correct.

      Its never the actual thing, just the agenda and then im sure they will stop all autism research and go back to hitting children until they suppress all emotion. Child will not been seen or heard and suddenly no one has autism.