U.S. Announces National Autism Registry Amid Rising Diagnosis Rates — Sparks Major Backlash
April 21, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has announced plans to launch a national autism registry aimed at accelerating research into autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
This move follows new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), showing that autism now affects 1 in 31 American children — a sharp rise compared to previous years. Federal officials say the registry will collect health information from pharmacy records, lab results, insurance claims, wearable devices, and genetic databases. The goal is to create the largest autism research database in history, which will be shared with up to 20 selected research groups nationwide.
However, the announcement has immediately stirred controversy.
Critics point to Kennedy’s long history of promoting the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism — a view firmly rejected by the medical and scientific communities. In addition, Kennedy recently made comments suggesting that many autistic individuals "may never be able to live independently," remarks that have been condemned by major autism advocacy groups and even his own family members.
Anthony K. Shriver and Timothy Shriver, prominent disability rights advocates and Kennedy’s cousins, released a joint statement saying, "People with autism and intellectual disabilities have incredible talents, gifts, and contributions to offer. We must build a more inclusive society, not reinforce outdated and harmful stereotypes."
Several organizations, including the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and Autism Speaks, have raised concerns over potential privacy violations and the ethical risks of creating a federal autism database. Many advocates argue the focus should shift toward building support systems, fighting stigma, and celebrating neurodiversity — not labeling autistic individuals as a problem to be fixed.
Despite the backlash, Secretary Kennedy defended the initiative, saying, "This registry will be an essential tool for better understanding autism and improving lives." He pledged that strict privacy protections would be enforced, although exact safeguards have not yet been detailed.
As the debate intensifies, one thing is clear: the future of autism research — and the conversation around how society views autism — may be entering a critical new chapter.
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