"I’ve seen a lot of criticism of RFK Jr. since his autism speech yesterday.
So I decided to do something radical… I watched the full speech.
(I know — crazy concept: go to the source and form your own opinion instead of blindly repeating media narratives and social media memes.)
And what I found didn’t exactly match the headlines.
So in this post, I want to address the five biggest criticisms I’ve seen and share my take.
But first — let me say this:
Whatever you think of his policies, one thing seems clear to me after listening to RFK Jr. speak: he genuinely seems to care about the children and families affected by autism. You can disagree with his conclusions, but to paint him as evil or malicious is unfair... and, frankly, dishonest.
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Criticism #1: “He called autism an ’epidemic.’”
Yes, he did ... to highlight the steep rise in diagnoses. (CDC data shows 1 in 31 kids today.)
The term "epidemic" does not always imply something contagious. I find it unlikely that those criticizing his use of the word "epidemic" showed the same level of outrage when it was used to describe the obesity epidemic or the fentanyl epidemic.
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Criticism #2: “He said autistic kids will never have jobs, never pay taxes, never go on dates.”
This is wildly misleading and out of context. Just moments before making that statement, he referred specifically to the 25% of cases classified as severe (children who are nonverbal, not toilet trained, and unable to care for themselves). Clearly, within this context, his remarks were not about all autistic children. Anyone claiming otherwise is either unaware of this context or deliberately misrepresenting his words.
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Criticism #3: “He rejected the science — autism is genetic, not caused by toxins.”
This claim misrepresents his stance. He didn’t dismiss the role of genetics; rather, he stated that while genes might create a vulnerability, they alone cannot explain an epidemic. This perspective is far from fringe. Even the CDC acknowledges that environmental factors may play a role. His argument isn’t anti-science; it’s a reasonable call for a more balanced exploration of potential causes.
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Criticism #4: “He’s pushing anti-vax conspiracy theories again!”
This one is just false. Not once during his 27-minute speech did he mention vaccines. Instead, he discussed toxins such as mold, pesticides, and additives. But the media (who appear to hate him for past positions) decided to resurrect the vaccine angle even though he didn’t bring it up. This is yet another example of a targeted smear campaign by individuals more invested in promoting narratives than seeking the truth.
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Criticism #5: “His words were emotionally harmful to autistic people and their families.”
I guess this one depends on your perspective. Yes, his language was intense, but maybe what’s also harmful is ignoring the existence of the most severe forms of autism. RFK Jr. is amplifying the voices of parents whose children face extreme challenges, such as self-injurious behaviors, inability to speak, constant supervision needs, and requiring round-the-clock care. These families are real, and their struggles are profound. For once, someone on a national platform is recognizing their pain and saying, “We see you, and we are committed to understanding why this is happening.”
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I’m not saying RFK Jr. is perfect. His words could’ve been clearer. His policy ideas are certainly open to scrutiny. But let’s stop pretending he dehumanized autistic people or rejected science.
He’s asking tough questions. He’s challenging the status quo.
And instead of outrage, maybe we should welcome the conversation.
Watch the speech. Check the CDC data.
And let’s focus on facts instead of clickbait."
-Written by Tyson Zahner
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