An Autistic Mom’s Heartfelt Response to RFK Jr.: Insights and Perspectives You Won’t Want to Miss!

As an autistic adult, I have seen Robert F. Kennedy Jr. make some outrageous claims over the years. But his recent comments hit particularly close to home. He described autism as a crisis, calling it a burden for families. He painted autistic individuals as incapable of doing anything meaningful, even suggesting they could never write poetry or pay taxes. This kind of rhetoric cheapens our existence and overlooks our humanity.

I am autistic. Believe me, I face real challenges. But I also have a loving husband, a meaningful job, and I write children’s books. I pay taxes and embrace life fully. Even if I didn’t have a job or hobbies, I would still be valuable.

Kennedy’s message is harmful. It reduces autistic individuals to mere symptoms or burdens. This only fuels fear in parents, shame in children, and hopelessness in communities already struggling to support their loved ones. Such narratives make autistic people feel like they’re something to mourn instead of someone to celebrate.

Let me share a few stories to illustrate my point. Take Victor, who was my first client as a speech and language pathologist. He struggled with communication and sensory overload. But when he was given access to augmentative communication tools and the right support, he thrived. Or consider Duressa, a non-speaking teenager who was labeled as “aggressive.” After building trust, he began to sing during sessions, seeking me out daily, his joy clear.

Then, there’s Marie, a 21-year-old in a group home who was told she would never learn anything new due to her autism. We spent time together exploring new interests. Contrary to what others said, she grew more flexible and communicative. We became friends.

These stories highlight that autistic individuals are not failures of neurotypical standards. We are not broken or a punchline in a political agenda.

Yes, parenting an autistic child is challenging. I’ve seen the struggles families face. But public figures like RFK Jr. only add to that burden by spreading fear and misinformation instead of listening to actual autistic voices. He claims he wants to help families, but he makes things harder.

The real issue is not autism itself, but the harmful narratives around it. False information and stigma do more damage than any condition could.

What we need is connection and partnership. We don’t seek pity or cures; we want understanding and fierce love. There are children who deserve more than fear-based policies, families needing real support, and autistic adults like me who are navigating life and facing challenges every day.

Autism is not the problem. The problem lies in a culture that dismisses lived experiences. Leaders who view us as tragedies instead of valuable individuals only deepen the divide.

We are not less than anyone else. Autistic children are not less. Families raising them are not less. We are not waiting for saviors; we are simply seeking understanding. And we are here to stay.

Meg Raby, a speech-language pathologist, shares her experiences as an autistic adult and a mother. Living in Salt Lake City, she is dedicated to supporting neurodivergent children while pursuing her passion for writing children’s books, striving always for a world built on understanding and compassion.



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