In the 1950s, the damaging “refrigerator mother” theory emerged, wrongly attributing autism to emotionally detached mothers. This harmful notion perpetuated decades of parental guilt and discrimination, denying children the essential support they required and isolating families during a critical time.
Recently, former President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. echoed these antiquated and unfounded claims, suggesting that vaccines or Tylenol can cause autism. Such statements not only spread misinformation but also divert policymakers’ attention from the necessary rights-respecting policies that children with autism desperately need.
Consider the case of Nico, a two-year-old boy of Mexican descent diagnosed with autism. For months, his delayed speech was overlooked, preventing his family from accessing crucial services. Once his autism was recognized, however, early intervention—particularly speech therapy—began to enhance his communication and social skills, paving the way for his development.
Nico’s experience is emblematic of a larger issue. Like many families within the Latinx and Black communities, his parents encountered delays in recognizing his needs and struggled to find culturally relevant services. His story reflects the systemic barriers faced by countless families across the United States.
Early intervention is crucial for children with autism. Services such as speech, occupational, and developmental therapies empower these children to communicate effectively, achieve success in school, and engage with their communities. Such support is vital to upholding children’s rights to health, education, and inclusion—rights that are enshrined in both US disability law and international human rights standards.
Unfortunately, children with autism already encounter significant obstacles in accessing these rights. They often endure delayed diagnoses, limited access to culturally appropriate services, and the heavy burden of stigma and discrimination. For instance, Black children with autism frequently remain undiagnosed for nearly three years after their parents first voice concerns. Moreover, Latinx and Black children with autism face substantial disparities in access to resources compared to their white peers across many regions of the US. Families frequently feel isolated or even bear the brunt of blame for their child’s condition. By perpetuating unfounded myths, US officials risk repeating the mistakes of the 1950s, shifting responsibility onto parents and cultivating an environment rife with fear, isolation, and stigma.
Nico’s narrative illustrates the transformative potential of timely intervention: dismantling barriers can lead to enhanced opportunities for equity and inclusion. It is imperative that leaders commit to guaranteeing that every child with autism has the access to the support they need to thrive.
