Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Thursday his plan to launch a study into autism. Secretary Kennedy’s statement suggested that the cause of autism will be identified in just a few months, by September 2025.
The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) plays a vital role in supporting individuals with autism and their families across the country.
Through our network of state and territorial governor-appointed Councils on Developmental Disabilities, we advocate for policies that promote real involvement in community life, fund innovative programs, and promote change that empowers people with autism and other developmental disabilities to live self-determined lives in their communities.
At NACDD, we believe that people with autism must be central voices in any conversations about autism—whether related to research, policy, or services. Their lived experiences, insights, and perspectives are not only valuable but essential.
We affirm that people with autism are full and complete human beings who do not need to be “fixed.” NACDD and DD Councils across this country, strive to spread awareness that people with autism and all disabilities have a rightful place in society. We celebrate neurodiversity and welcome the contributions autistic individuals bring to our families, workplaces, and communities.
Scientific understanding of autism has advanced significantly over the past decades, pointing to a multifaceted interplay of influences. The notion that a single definitive cause will be identified within a specific and near timeframe does not align with the consensus of the scientific and medical communities.
Autism research must prioritize—and even more heavily invest in—understanding how to most effectively support autistic people in living their best, most fulfilling lives. It should always be guided by the needs, voices, and goals of autistic individuals, focusing on improving quality of life, autonomy, and meaningful participation, rather than centering on causes or cures.
Any research into autism should always emphasize transparency, rigorous methodology, and collaboration across disciplines. Families, individuals with autism, and the broader community deserve accurate, evidence-based information grounded in science.
NACDD is committed to working with the Secretary’s office and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that people with developmental disabilities, including individuals with autism, are supported by strong policies and practices that honor and include neurodiversity, and opportunities that promote dignity, independence, and full community participation.
