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.
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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”.
At least this would be positive if it were to result in less use of plastics and cars to lower environmental pollution (just pointing at silver linings) but we’re talking JFK here so I’m sure the recommendation will be to bring lead back into gasoline because when cars had lead gasoline we didn’t have autism at all!