According to a story in the April 2025 New York Times, in response to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control showing rising rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said, “…that autism was preventable…” and that he would find a cure by the fall.
That was just one of the myriad versions that the Secretary of Health and Human Services elicited:
Love on the Spectrum stars criticize RFK Jr’s approach BBC News
People with autism seek dignity where RFK seeks a cure AXIOS News
RFK, Jr., Is Completely Wrong about Autism, Say Scientists Scientific American
RFK Jr pledges to find the cause of autism ‘by September’ BBC News
How RFK Jr. is shaping the conversation about autism and… PBS
Statement on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Comments … Autism Society Response
And others…
Everyone has an opinion about Mr. Secretary’s proclamation, so what follows is my take on the Autism ‘situation’.
Most of the families that come to The Child Development Center agree that, at least NOW, the government is showing interest in solving this perplexing childhood developmental problem.
Here are several items that the medical establishment can do – starting today – that would impact identification, diagnosis and treatment:
Follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines, which recommend screening children for development during routine checkups at 9 months, 18 months, and 30 months, and for autism at 18 and 24 months. Screening can also be done whenever a parent or provider has a concern. That means, practitioners who advise a “wait and see” posture when milestones are not met are adding to the problem, since early identification has been documented as a key to better prognosis.
Follow the CDC vaccination guidelines AS RECOMMENDED.
That means, practitioners who suggest extra doses of ‘shots’ when a child has missed a dose are not following protocol. There is no randomized, double-blind, controlled prospective study on this common practice. It would not pass human experimentation criteria for safety.
Practitioners who suggest immunization when a child has a slight fever are not following protocol. There is no randomized, double-blind, controlled prospective study on this common practice. It would not pass human experimentation criteria for safety.
Understand that more study needs to be done, before declaring that multiple dose vaccines are safe for all.
Autism can be immunologically produced or affected, and atopy (allergy) is a big issue in affected patients. So when the TV commercial warns, “If you are allergic to the components in this product, let your doctor know”, how would they know? And, especially if the companies have now combined a bunch of concoctions?
Pediatricians, Developmental Pediatricians, Pediatric Neurologists and other practitioners need to study and implement the protocols that have produced results for years, and be better informed about complicated methods that waste time and money.
Pediatricians, Developmental Pediatricians, Pediatric Neurologists and other practitioners must consider a differential diagnosis for the signs and symptoms the patients exhibit, rather than simply label just about every new individual with developmental delay, speech delay, oppositional defiance disorder, attention deficit disorder, sensory processing disorder, and, oh, yeah, Autism.
Every patient deserves a proper medical ‘workup’.
So, what consequences may arise from Jr.’s statement? Continued ignorance at worst, enlightenment, perhaps, at best? There are more affected families who are seeking relief every day, from every country, and in every race, creed, color and sex. This is an epidemic (i.e. “in numbers greater than expected”). This is mysterious. That is why, so many absurd ideas – no matter how un-scientific – get traction on our modern social, pseudoscientific, multi-pharmaceutical network.
Rather than adding to the drama-packed world that politics has injected into what should be a scientific purview, let’s give the Secretary of HHS some space and see what answers come over the rainbow.
©TheAutismDoctor.com
Dr. Udell, what is your opinion about Leucovorin? Have you had any patients respond favorably? I would be very interested to hear your thoughts.
I have been prescribing for 10 years and it’s been quite helpful. .. but it requires a protocol. My next blog.
When Bobby Kennedy Jr was 19 years old he shared a tent in Africa while in the Peace Corps with one Roger Ailes. Roger Ailes is best known for being CEO of Fox News and building that empire for Rupert Murdoch. Bobby Kennedy Jr spoke openly that his old tent mate from 50 years ago could never have him on Fox News because over half of the advertising that keeps media profitable comes from Big Pharma. Remember, Fox paid out $787M to Dominion about the voter fraud thing.
Bobby Kennedy Jr repeatedly has said that all his many kids and grandchildren are vaccinated but the lead picture here from the New York Times says he is an anti vaxxer. Why is that? New York Times takes in a lot of revenue from Big Pharma, too. And that keeps them profitable. How do you get away from this influence of Big Pharma and your media? Fortunately, you can listen to one of the many multi hour interviews Bobby Kennedy Jr. has given over the years including one this week to an independent journalist. Independent journalists may be considered quacks by legacy media but it’s the content of what the person being interviewed is saying and not the media source if it is unedited. Recall, CBS news just acknowledged they will make available entire unedited interviews after losing that $16M dollar lawsuit for editing an interview. Independent journalists are your friend if you are concerned about big businesses and key interviews are most informative.
After listening to that recent Kennedy interview as well as others I would describe him as vaccine cautious and trying to verify the underlying science that was presented or blocked at the time of approval. That underlying science is key, right? What if we now question some of it or the method of how the underlying science was chosen as perhaps an agenda existed? Its best to watch his interviews in the entirety and not just snippets taken from media that has an agenda or has for example labeled him something he is not. Kennedy is a lawyer, a litigator and a very effective one. Big companies can get a story out and use advertising but I think Kennedy is the guy to get to the bottom of some of this.
He’s pointed out with his name most anyone is going to take his call. Enlighten yourself with watching hours of his interviews and be wary of any spin as he was born wealthy and apparently has never lost a legal case in his career continuing that wealth. Of course he’s made some enemies at some of the largest companies and the media is aligned with revenue of the companies he’s sued. Listen to long interviews and not media headlines and you will be more accurately enlightened on what he is saying, meaning to say and where he is looking for results.
Isn’t that what I said? (shorter version)
Thanks