RFK Jr. calls autism a national injury and proposes compensations for families

At a press conference on April 16, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a series of false and offensive remarks about children with autism, prompting criticism from medical professionals, disability advocates, and journalists.

Two days later, he doubled down on his stance in a social media post, stating that a significant portion of people with severe autism are unable to live independently or participate in everyday life, and called for identifying potential environmental causes and compensating the families he described as "injured."

Thank you @SeanHannity for letting me set the record straight. Bottom line, the more than 25% of people who have severe autism will never go on a date, write a poem, live independently, or have a job. We need to identify the exposures that are causing this epidemic and compensate… pic.twitter.com/RqCCwQgSZg

— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) April 18, 2025

During that same press conference, he also said: "They’ll never play baseball. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted."

While some users supported his call for investigating the causes of autism, his comments drew widespread accusations of ableism — discrimination against people with disabilities.

Clarification and controversial theories

Later, in an appearance on Fox News, Kennedy clarified that he was referring specifically to a quarter of those diagnosed — individuals who are nonverbal:

"There are many kids with autism who are doing well. They’re holding down jobs, they’re getting pay checks, they’re living independently. But I was referring specifically to that 25 percent — the group that is nonverbal."

He also pledged to uncover the cause of autism by September, telling President Trump during an April 10 Cabinet meeting: "We’re going to announce a series of new studies to precisely identify which toxic substances are causing this."

According to Kennedy, the source is "an environmental toxin that someone put into our air, our water, our medicines, or our food."

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Photo: Getty Images)

The scientific community continues to study the causes of autism, including both genetic and environmental factors. According to the CDC, numerous studies have found no link between vaccines and autism.

Kennedy’s rhetoric once again reignites long-standing debates over science, public health policy, and government responsibility.

Autism, measles, and misinformation: RFK Jr. draws national criticism

This is not the first time the HHS chief has stirred controversy.

The United States is currently facing its largest measles outbreak since 2019. The surge follows the nation’s first measles-related death in nearly a decade, as declining vaccination rates fuel rising case numbers.

Vaccination in the spotlight as RFK Jr.'s remarks fuel controversy amid US measles surge (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)

On April 11, Kennedy questioned vaccine safety in an interview with NBC News, claiming the measles shot provides "only short-term immunity."

His comments were sharply criticized by health experts, especially given his long history of promoting vaccine conspiracy theories.

The backlash comes as measles vaccination rates among young children drop to dangerously low levels, raising fears of a nationwide resurgence.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.