Studies show adult autism diagnoses are climbing, contradicting Kennedy's child-only claim
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asserted that only childhood autism rates are rising, but recent research indicates diagnoses are also increasing among adults.
At an Oval Office briefing on autism and vaccines, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed the surge in autism cases since the early 2000s points to an environmental toxin, rejecting the notion that broader diagnostic criteria are to blame. He emphasized that the increase is seen only in children born after 1989, suggesting a mid-1990s trigger. Contrasting his view, autism researchers highlight large-scale studies published in JAMA Psychiatry showing a 425 % rise in diagnoses for adults aged 26-34 and a 338 % rise for those 35-44 between 2011 and 2022, as well as a near-doubling of prevalence among Medicaid enrollees.
Experts such as Brenda Dater and Adam Omary argue that expanded DSM definitions, heightened awareness, and better resources for school-age children drive the numbers, while adults face diagnostic gaps, fewer specialists, and higher costs. They stress that the absence of earlier diagnoses does not prove autism was absent in older generations. The discussion underscores the need for improved adult screening and nuanced interpretation of prevalence data.
Why it matters
Accurate interpretation of autism prevalence informs health policy, funding, and support services for both children and adults.
In this story