Understanding Autism, Neurodiversity, and the Danger of Misinformation

In recent weeks, public figures like Donald Trump and RFK Jr. have made renewed claims linking vaccines (or something as commonplace as Tylenol) to autism - claims that have been widely and repeatedly debunked by the scientific community. For those of us working in mental health, these statements aren't just frustrating - they are harmful. They contribute to stigma, perpetuate ableism, and spread fear that affects both autistic people and their families.

This post explores the neurodiversity movement (incase you don't know what that is, or would like to know more), explains why these claims are problematic & false, and highlights why it matters that we push back against this narrative.

The Neurodiversity Movement & Autism

The neurodiversity movement recognizes that neurological differences - like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc., - are natural variations of the human brain. Coined by sociologist Judy Singer in the late 1990s, the term "neurodiversity" encourages society to see neurotypes not as disorders to be cured, but as differences that have both strengths and challenges (Singer, 2017). That the human brain can exist in a large variety of ways, and no one way is "right" (and other ways aren't "wrong" or "disordered").

Autistic people often experience the world differently, sometimes in the sensory processing, communication, and social interaction (to name a few). These differences do not make them "broken" or "less than." Instead, they are an equally valid and important part of the diverse human experience.

When public figures promote fear-based rhetoric about autism - framing it as a tragedy or something to prevent at all costs - it reinforces the idea that autistic lives are less valuable. This is deeply harmful and runs counter to neurodiversity-affirming practices.

Why Vaccine-Autism Claims Are False

The idea that vaccines cause autism stems largely from a 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield that has since been retracted due to serious methodological flaws and ethical violations (Eggertson, 2010). Dozens of large-scale studies have since confirmed there is no causal link between vaccines and autism (Taylor et al., 2014 DeStefano et al., 2013) - meaning that it has been empirically proven in these studies that vaccines do not cause autism.

Continuing to claim otherwise is dangerous for public health. It fuels vaccine hesitancy, which can lead to outbreaks of preventable disease, and it perpetuates the idea that autism (and neurodiversity as a whole) is something to fear.

Why We Should Care

Statements likes these are not harmless political talking points. Instead, they:

• reinforce stigma towards autistic people

• increase pressure on parents to "cure" their autistic children instead of supporting them

• divert funding and attention away from meaningful supports like education, accessibility, and mental health care.

Challenging misinformation is an act of advocacy. It communicates to autistic people (and other neurodivergent individuals to) that they are valued and deserving of respect and belonging.

This Therapist's Closing Thoughts

As a neurodivergent human (and therapist), I see firsthand how these narratives show up in my counselling office. Autistic clients and those who suspect they might be autistic often carry internalized shame, self-doubt, and a sense of being "broken." They may struggle with anxiety, depression, and/or self-hatred as a result of years of being told they are "wrong" or "too much."

When public figures spread harmful, false narratives about autism, it reinforces these feelings and can delay people from seeking a diagnosis (which is hard enough to get as it is), accessing support, or embracing their identity. Our work in therapy often involves dismantling internalized ableism, building self-compassion, and affirming that being autistic is not something to be feared - it is something to be understood and supported.

The language we use matters. The narratives we amply matter. And so, speaking out against harmful rhetoric is not just political - it's deeply personal.

Further Reading & Resources

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): https://autisticadvocacy.org/

• NeuroClastic: https://neuroclastic.com/

• Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism: http://www.thinkingautismguide.com/

• CDC: Autism and Vaccines: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/autism.html

• Spectrum News: Autism Research News: https://www.spectrumnews.org/

  
  

References:

DeStefano, F., Price, C. S., & Weintraub, E. S. (2013). Increasing exposure to antibody-stimulating proteins and polysaccharides in vaccines is not associated with risk of autism. Journal of Pediatrics, 163(2), 561-567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.02.001

Eggertson, L. (2010). Lancet retracts 12-year-old article linking autism to MMR vaccines. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 182(4), E199–E200. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.109-3179

Singer, J. (2017). Neurodiversity: The birth of an idea. Amazon Digital Services.

Taylor, L. E., Swerdfeger, A. L., & Eslick, G. D. (2014). Vaccines are not associated with autism: An evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Vaccine, 32(29), 3623–3629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.04.085