In a speech last week, the U.S. health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., raised eyebrows. In the past, he has blamed parents for their children’s autism. His comments resurface long-settled discussions about the causes of autism. Experts do largely agree that this developmental and neurological condition is mainly genetic in origin. Advocates and health professionals have responded with strong condemnation of Kennedy’s statements. They contend that his ideas perpetuate dangerous stereotypes, particularly against mothers.
In a now-famous public address, Kennedy called on parents to “go out and do your own research” on vaccinations and autism. Specifically, he said scientists are actively investigating a possible connection between the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and severe side effects. One specific space of inquiry has been brain swelling. This reflects a persistent myth from the past round of vaccine-autism paranoia, which was thoroughly discredited by years of large studies finding no link between vaccines and autism.
The shift of blame towards mothers started in the 1940s. Psychologists would go on to call them “refrigerator mothers,” accusing them of being cold, unloving creatures that caused autism. This out-of-date attitude has persisted, perpetuating stigma and shaming mothers trying to figure out how to deal with their child’s diagnosis.
What was particularly troubling about Kennedy’s critique was the cultural implications of such a statement, explained Caleb Calarco, a sociologist and autism activist. He continued, “There was a massive blame and shame culture around mothers. Even though there’s clear evidence that vaccines don’t cause autism, pushing this false narrative continues to relieve that blame,” he added. This narrative drives many parents to look for accountability outside of their child’s state of repair. Chiefly, they ride the pressure to do so because a weak social safety net puts the onus on families to bear high support costs themselves.
Shannon Des Roches Rosa, an advocate for autism awareness, initially subscribed to the now-discredited theory linking vaccines to autism in 2003. Her decision to stop vaccinating her children was affected by the widespread doubts at the time about vaccine safety. After extensive research found no link between vaccines and autism, Rosa started vaccinating her kids again.
Rosa had proclaimed vaccines and autism to be unrelated. She noted that this problem is as settled as any scientific issue ever gets. She stressed that misinformation makes it easy for parents to internalize blame. Parents don’t just leap to blame themselves. Rather, they become anxious in the first place by listening to people, including RFK Jr., who stoke their anxiety and fears about autism.
Kennedy’s remarks have raised concerns that go far beyond parental accountability. Even worse, they undercut the decades-old doctrine of preemption to enable lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers. Calarco further explained that if they can lay blame on the vaccine, then they can legally pin the blame on someone else. This freedom enables them to litigate for monetary damages to compensate for the typically steep expense of nurturing their kids in a culture without a prevalent social safety net.
Health leaders such as Kennedy should commit to protecting the needs of families rather than scaring people with the threat of autism. Calarco made clear the enormous burden this would put on families. Mothers especially bear a heavy load to figure out their child’s diagnosis and what supports they need.
Kennedy’s statements contradict accepted scientific standards regarding autism but reflect an age-old societal angst regarding the role of parents in maintaining the health of children. It’s important for parents to independently verify medical advice. This practice harks back to a darker time when anti-science misinformation ruled public health decision-making.
Rosa reflected on her encounters with healthcare providers who advocated pseudoscientific and abusive practices to cure autism. She remembered, “He was making us do all this pseudoscience and supplements and not vaccinating our kids. This highlights an especially important role of accurate information and responsible guidance from our health authorities.
In truth, the conversation about autism is changing quickly. Specialists call attention to the importance of breaking down harmful stereotypes and fighting for policies that support families living with autism.