We need neurodivergence

A Raising Autism blog

Whenever I hear RFK Jr. speak about autism, fear builds inside me. He talks about ridding the world of children with ASD. He speaks about them as unproductive members of society, harming the general social good. He continues to blame vaccines when the ASD and vaccine connection has been long debunked- even the scientist who did the research has admitted he lied.

Here’s the problem: when RFK Jr. speaks this way, he’s talking about a world without my children. He’s referring to my children as social problems rather than contributors to creative, social and economic thought. RFK clearly doesn’t understand the gifts neurodivergent individuals possess. His comments resonate with eugenics programs in Nazi Germany. He has said that autism “destroys families.” He has said people with autism will “never pay taxes, they’ll never hold a job, they’ll never play baseball, they’ll never write a poem, they’ll never go out on a date.” This is hogwash.

These comments equate human worth with economic and social contribution- taxes!- rather than the inherent value of being human. Paying taxes is hardly the determinant of a life well lived. If, according to the far right’s own religious dogma, God creates humans at inception, then RFK also is basically saying that their god makes mistakes- though he’d say it’s man-made vaccines causing the autism rather than god. His words more than imply that some fish need to be thrown back into the sea.

I cannot imagine a world without autism. Without it, we would not have had Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Charles Darwin, Sir Isaac Newton, Nikola Tesla, animal husbandry pioneer Temple Grandin, outspoken activist Greta Thunburg or even the right’s beloved Elon Musk. Autism has fueled some of the world’s most significant scientific discoveries- the theory of relativity, understanding gravity, the evolution of species and more. Why would we want a world lacking these insights and inventions?

Many autism advocacy groups have spoken out against RFK’s comments. The Autism Society has called his remarks “harmful, misleading and unrealistic.” His words show a woeful ignorance of autism, and they perpetuate stigma and stereotypes. The Autism Society said in a statement:

Autism is a complex developmental disability shaped by genetic, biological, and environmental factors. It is neither a chronic illness nor a contagion, that qualifies harmful language like “epidemic,” and to do so is both inaccurate and stigmatizing. Autistic individuals are human beings who deserve dignity, respect, and equitable civil rights.

RFK’s referring to autism as an “epidemic” implies that autism is a disease to be cured rather than a genetic condition. In fact, RFK has said, “we will know what has caused the Autism epidemic and we’ll be able to eliminate those exposures” in a year. What does “those exposures” mean? Eliminating certain big business environmental practices the right have embraced rather than condemned? Or eliminating humans with these traits? Simply put, RFK’s comments are not based upon facts and reliable science but rather political agenda and quackery.

I’m shocked that we now live in an America which seeks to homogenize its gene pool. A diverse and divergent gene pool is a strong one. When the gene pool is too consistent, nature creates anomalies and inconsistencies. Read about the genetic issues many Royals around the world have had from so much intermarriage. This is because genetic diversity gives all species a better chance for adaptation and survival. New traits are continually infused into the system allowing for resilient combinations and adaptations.

In April, the US Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, promoted the creation of an autism registry. This would create a government list from public and private databases of people with autism. This is terrifying. Not only is it an invasion of privacy but it also singles out a group of people, much like the Nazis did with the Jewish people. What’s next after the registry? A registration number tattooed on the arm of autistic individuals? Wearing an ASD symbol publicly to declare themselves? It’s not far to see the next step being rounding up these individuals and enclosing them in camps “for study.” If you are thinking, “that won’t happen,” I remind you that I never thought due process would be disregarded for American citizens and American nationals when it is literally laid out in our constitution.

The new HHS head, David Geier, a “self-employed geneticist” who has been known for pushing disproven medical claims and for conducting research without the usual controls scientists use to produce reliable research, is out of his depth. He has done tests on thiomersal, the mercury-based preservative upon which the false autism and vaccine claims have been made. It’s worth noting that thiomersal has not been used in most vaccines since 2001, a time period during which autism diagnoses have increased.

These HHS moves have ramifications beyond autism. The same “public and private databases” also detail other conditions which could be singled out for scrutiny and “study” without an individual’s consent. Could this result in lack of insurance coverage or other kinds of exclusion- social and economic? Certainly.

Meanwhile, the largest measles outbreak in the US in decades rages on with no concern from RFK, Jr. or HHS. Where is the public discussion showing a clear relationship between vaccine refusal and the increase in public health risk? Focusing on autism as a singularly significant health issue distracts from the measles outbreak and stigmatizes and jeopardizes the lives of some of the most intelligent and creative people in our society.

I can’t imagine a world without neurodivergence, not only because I’m a mother of girls with autism but because I have witnessed firsthand the advantages of such a difference. My older daughter- I’ve shared before- has the uncanny ability to assemble any structure without directions and to solve problems using multidimensional spacial thinking. My younger daughter is hyper logical and able to control her emotions (in public settings) so that she remains calm and neutral. These talents come as a result of their neurodivergence.

Nazi Germany did not prevail for clear reasons. The search for a perfect race and homogenous gene pool did not square with America’s and Europe’s commitment to diversity and difference. Any discussion of erasing diversity and difference should terrify every American. Why? Because it’s unAmerican, undemocratic and disregards human rights and privacy. If you support these so-called medical inquiries as valid science, then you need to know: your beliefs are closer to Nazi Getmany and fascist rule than they are to the principles upon which America was founded.

Let’s celebrate and appreciate diversity and difference rather than erase it. Our country’s future depends on it.

I would love to hear from you, even if, especially if, you disagree. Perhaps we can bring back the American tradition of debate. Please like and share this blog with others. Subscribe to receive it by email and go directly to the Walk the Moon website (www.walk-the-moon.com) to peruse the full collection of articles and updates. You can email me from the Walk the Moon website as well.