Claims made by President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the rise in autism cases in the U.S. are refuted by experts who attribute the increase to improved diagnostic tools and awareness. Kennedy insists vaccines are to blame, but scientific consensus points to a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. The history of autism diagnosis, including past discredited theories and societal treatment of individuals with developmental differences, sheds light on the evolving understanding of neurodivergence. The push to prevent autism raises ethical concerns, with some experts cautioning against veering into eugenics territory. The Kennedys' personal experiences with developmental disorders, such as Rosemary Kennedy's lobotomy and subsequent institutionalization, underscore the family's complex relationship with neurodiversity.
Source: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5325652-autism-diagnosis-rfk-history-family/