Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently claimed that autism cases are on the rise and becoming more severe, stating it represents an “epidemic” worse than COVID-19. His remarks drew criticism as they appear to misrepresent recent research findings. New studies presented at the International Society for Autism Research’s annual meeting indicate that while autism diagnoses have increased, the proportion of cases with moderate to severe symptoms has remained stable from 2000 to 2016.
Kennedy’s assertion that a significant number of children with autism face serious limitations, such as being nonverbal or requiring assistance for basic tasks, contrasts with findings suggesting that the increase in cases is primarily among those with mild symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 1 in 31 children is diagnosed with autism by age eight, without distinguishing symptom severity.
The new research utilized adaptive test scores rather than IQ scores to assess functionality. This approach revealed that while moderate or significant impairments fell slightly during the study period, mild cases surged by 139%, indicating that many children are being diagnosed with less severe forms of autism.
Experts suggest the rise in mild cases may stem from improved detection methods and broader diagnostic criteria established in 2013. Kennedy’s position, attributing the surge in cases to environmental toxins, lacks supporting evidence, with many researchers noting that existing studies have yet to identify specific environmental triggers.
Overall, the increased prevalence of autism appears to be largely attributable to better diagnosis of milder cases rather than a true uptick in severe cases.
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