On Sept. 22, President Trump announced both an “answer” and a “cause” for Autism Spectrum Disorder. This politically charged announcement was filled not only with falsehoods, but also incredibly disturbing rhetoric in regards to the autistic community. In President Trump’s dialogue, one could not help but notice a likening of the neurological difference to a disease, epidemic or fever; to him, autism is something akin to a virus. Furthermore, both Trump and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. politicized autism during the conference, treating the affected individuals and communities like pawns in a larger political game. This discourse is unacceptable.
Addressing the facts first, neither a “cure” nor a “cause” for autism has been found. The information released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services after the Sept. 22 announcement is either inconclusive or in active contention with broader scientific consensus. In regards to the “crisis of autism” Trump has identified, rates in autism diagnoses have been increasing in part due to expanded diagnostic criteria as well as increased information and awareness about ASD. Autism is not an epidemic. Autism is not an illness. The rhetoric pushed out by the White House is blatantly false.
Trump hasn’t simply suggested a desire to politicize autism either. In fact, Trump has gone so far as to boast that his administration has brought autism “to the forefront of American politics.” RFK repeatedly reinforces the role this announcement will play in restoring “faith in government” and removing “politically safe” science. It’s clear they only really care about this issue insofar as it can be weaponized for political gains. Already, the belief that vaccines cause autism is politicized, but now — at least according to Trump — autism itself is an issue of the political sphere.
Under Trump’s administration, an entire community is being held hostage to one politician’s desires. Such treatment of this group of people by the President of the United States is ludicrous. Clearly Trump does not view autistic people as capable of meaningful choice. To him, they are merely objects in his political scheme.
Beyond falsehood and politicization, the disease-centric rhetoric used by the Trump administration actively tarnishes the image of autistic individuals. Thinking of disease, it’s easy to come up with a plethora of unsavory images. One might think of the COVID-19 shutdowns of 2020, plague-bearing rats of the medieval era or “The Walking Dead”-esque zombie viruses of dystopian fiction. ASD has no place among plagues. Repeated usage of epidemic terminology is not only misleading, but powerful in perpetuating misinformation and misattribution of what ASD is. In simple terms, it’s dehumanizing.
While describing the distribution of vaccines, Trump says, “And they pump so much stuff into those beautiful little babies it’s a disgrace… It looks like they’re pumping into a horse.” Notice his transition from “beautiful little babies” to horses. It is clear that Trump doesn’t view autistic people as people. Popularized negative rhetoric in regards to autism, such as the words used by the president and government officials, contributes to greater negative discourse surrounding autism; this discourse in turn perpetuates negative stereotypes of autism, which can reduce positive group engagement among autistic communities, a tool which can be essential in raising self-esteem in autistic individuals. This rhetoric cannot continue.
Of course, Trump’s discourse will work its way into all facets of American life — the conversation on College Hill is no exception. Given that Trump’s dialectics have actually been the most infectious of any recent president in everyday life, it is hardly a leap of faith that his rhetoric in regards to ASD will be no different. Considering the fact that around 2.3% of Americans have ASD and there is an Autistic Student Union at Brown, it is clear that autism is an important part of the Brown community. In order to maintain an open and accepting Brunonia, it is essential that we understand the dangers of falsehoods being pushed by the president and maintain clarity as to what ASD actually is. Autism is not a disease, it doesn’t need a cure and President Trump cannot tell us otherwise.
Avery Kaak ’29 can be reached at avery_kaak@brown.edu. Please send responses to this column to letters@browndailyherald.com and other opinions to opinions@browndailyherald.com.
