The United States Secretary of Health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., stated on Wednesday (April 16th) that the number of diagnosed cases of Autism in American children is increasing at an alarming rate. He pledged to initiate a comprehensive interdisciplinary research program to investigate potential environmental factors that may be causing such developmental disorders.
According to the latest report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, 1 in every 31 children in the United States was diagnosed with Autism, a significant increase from the ratio of 1 in every 36 children in 2020.
This report covered 14 states and Puerto Rico, analyzing the health and school records of 8-year-old children. This age group was the focus of the study because most cases of Autism are diagnosed before this age. The statistics also show that the diagnosis rate is higher in boys than in girls, and the proportion is also higher among Asian Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, and African American populations.
The CDC emphasized that while other research institutions have provided estimates, its data collection methods are considered the most rigorous and are currently the “gold standard” for evaluating the prevalence of Autism.
Robert F. Kennedy stated at the press conference on Wednesday, “Autism destroys families, and more importantly, it destroys our most precious resource – our children. These children should not have to endure such suffering.”
He emphasized that Autism is a “preventable disease” and plans to promote a government-led large-scale research program to thoroughly investigate all possible environmental factors and other causes, as well as provide research funding to universities and relevant institutions. He also stressed, “Researchers should follow science, regardless of the findings.”
However, Robert F. Kennedy’s views are not entirely in line with some Autism experts. Many researchers point out that the scientific community generally considers Autism to be a neurodevelopmental disorder with multiple and complex causes, making it difficult to attribute to a single environmental factor.
According to the medical consensus, Autism is not a “disease” in the traditional sense but a state of developmental differences involving the brain. The symptoms range widely and may include delays in language development, learning abilities, and social-emotional responses, with some cases not being diagnosed until adulthood. Factors influencing Autism include genetics, neurobiology, and environmental conditions, and there is currently no clear prevention method.
Annette Estes, Director of the Autism Center at the University of Washington, stated, “The main reason for the rise in Autism diagnoses is advances in science and medicine. Many people fail to understand this, as our knowledge of Autism is still evolving.”
Dr. Alycia Halladay, Chief Science Officer of the Autism Science Foundation, also stated that the latest report provides the most compelling evidence, linking the increase in diagnosis rates with improved access to medical services and efforts to destigmatize Autism in society.
(Credit: This article was referenced from relevant reports by the Associated Press)