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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urges inquiry into rising autism rates in HHS-produced remarks
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Summary
In brief remarks produced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., identifying himself as the department’s secretary, called for investigation into what he described as rising autism rates and described his own children’s diagnoses. No formal policy or program announcement was made in the remarks.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who identified himself as secretary of Health and Human Services, said the day marked Autism Awareness Day and the start of Autism Awareness Month and urged work to identify causes of what he called a rising autism epidemic. "I'm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. I'm secretary of Health and Human Services, and today is autism awareness day. It's the beginning of autism awareness month. I'm very happy to be here," he said.
Kennedy described his family’s experience with autism and used that personal context to underscore his remarks. "This is, the day that we recognize children like my son. I have a almost 16 year old nonverbal boy with autism," he said. He also identified a daughter by name: "This is my, my beautiful daughter, Sophie, who's 18 years old. And Sophie is nonverbal with profound autism, and she's a wonderful, wonderful young woman."
Kennedy said he had been directed by President Trump to "find out what is causing the autism epidemic," and said he sought to work with a committee he identified as the MAHA committee. "When I saw that the MAHA committee was really committed to looking at autism and the reasons why our children are autistic, I wanted to be part of this," he said. He added that the agency would try to help families: "This agency is gonna do everything in its power to ease the challenge that so many of these families face. We're gonna rise to meet that challenge."
The recording ends with the statement "Produced by the US Department of Health and Human Services." The remarks as presented did not include any formal announcements of new regulations, funding, studies with start dates, or votes. The comments reported an intent to investigate causes and to provide support but did not specify actions, timelines or programs.
The statements in the recording are reported as spoken; the article does not independently verify positions or titles asserted in the recording.
