RFK Jr. launches federal probe into autism surge, vows answers by 2025

• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a major federal initiative to identify the causes of the “autism epidemic” during a televised Cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump.
• Kennedy will be leading the initiative and has promised definitive answers by September 2025.
• However, this has raised alarms among medical professionals who warn against reviving debunked theories.
• Autism rates have surged from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 36 in 2020, attributed by Kennedy to “environmental toxins.”
• The scientific community criticizes Kennedy’s five-month timeline as unrealistic and warns that the initiative may divert resources from proven research, potentially undermining support for affected families and distracting from legitimate research gaps.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a sweeping federal initiative on April 10 to identify the causes of what he termed an “autism epidemic” – pledging definitive answers by September 2025.

The announcement, made during a televised cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump, signals a dramatic escalation in government efforts to address soaring autism diagnoses – now affecting 1 in 36 U.S. children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Kennedy framed the effort as a mission to root out environmental toxins, though experts warn the initiative risks reviving debunked theories and diverting resources from proven research.

Kennedy’s appointment as HHS secretary drew debate due to his history of promoting what the media dubs as “discredited claims linking vaccines to autism.” Now, with Trump’s endorsement, Kennedy wields unprecedented authority to reshape federal health policy for the better. (Related: COVID vaccine injections can cause AUTISM, study finds.)

Autism rates have undeniably surged in recent decades. In 2000, the CDC estimated 1 in 150 children had autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By 2020, that number jumped to 1 in 36.

While Kennedy attributes the spike to “environmental toxins,” scientists emphasize broader diagnostic criteria, increased awareness and improved screening. The health secretary’s focus on external triggers, including vaccines, has reignited a polarizing debate.

Scientific community doubtful of Kennedy’s claims

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) already allocates over $300 million annually to autism research, primarily studying genetics and early development. Experts argue Kennedy’s five-month timeline is unrealistic for a disorder with multifaceted origins.

Christopher Banks, the Autism Society’s president, questioned whether the research efforts would be transparent. He warned that claims that autism is solely caused by environmental factors were “misleading theories [which] perpetuate harmful stigma, jeopardize public health and distract from the critical needs of the autism community.”

Despite opposition from the scientific community, Trump said there is a possibility that Kennedy’s points may hold water. “Maybe it’s a shot,” the president mused during the televised cabinet meeting. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a physician, meanwhile urged Kennedy to avoid “barren ground” and focus on legitimate research gaps.

Kennedy’s pledge to unravel the autism epidemic by 2025 reflects a collision of conviction and controversy. While the surge in diagnoses demands scrutiny, the initiative’s framing and its leader’s history raise concerns about politicizing science.

As the September deadline looms, the nation watches to see whether this probe uncovers new insights or deepens divisions in a decades-old debate. Either way, its impact on autism families and public health will endure long after the findings are released.

Head over to RealInvestigations.news for more similar stories.

Watch Del Bigtree discussing how RFK Jr. has ignited the revolution on autism and health in this clip.

This video is from The Highwire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com.

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Vaccines cause autism: Supporting evidence.

SSRIs taken during pregnancy may cause autism.

Debating the Cause of Autism: Genes vs. Nutrition.

San Antonio prosecutor says that vaccines do cause autism.

Vaccines cause autism, says confidential document from corrupt drug company.

Sources include: 

SHTFPlan.com

ABCNews.go.com

BBC.com

Brighteon.com