April is Autism Awareness Month

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Autism has most recently been in the news in a way where it opens up the door for many opinions.  Here is the opinion of our Founder and Director, Kyle Kahnweiler: 

Autism isn’t a disease. But treating it like one has real and harmful consequences.

There’s a dangerous narrative that keeps resurfacing—the idea that vaccines cause Autism. I am not writing to debate whether or not this is true, but feel the need to point out how this notion carries serious consequences, both for public health and for the Autism community. When public figures push this rhetoric, they’re sending a message that Autism is something to be feared, something worse than the very real and deadly diseases that vaccines prevent.

Think about what that implies. It tells the world that avoiding Autism is more important than saving actual lives. It encourages a “me first” attitude—one that says, “I’d rather risk spreading preventable diseases than take even the slightest risk that my child might be autistic.” And in doing so, it puts vulnerable populations directly in harm’s way.

The way we talk about Autism, disability, and what makes a life “worth living” has real consequences. We see it with Down syndrome, where selective abortions have drastically reduced the population—up to 93% of pregnancies with a Down syndrome diagnosis in the U.S. are terminated. The result? Less funding, fewer resources, and a society that continues to undervalue people who are different. The Autism community is already marginalized, and when we frame Autism as a tragedy to be avoided at all costs, we’re reinforcing the idea that these individuals are burdens rather than valuable members of our society.

Everyday I work with individuals with Autism and their families. I see and hear of the challenges they face that no one else can empathize with unlessss they too have a child with such needs. While guilt, sadness, frustration, and exhaustion are all common and prevelant, there is also always love. So much love. Each individual meets their own goals and shines a light within their communities and families. And the families who love and celebrate the most have the most successful outcomes.

This is bigger than just vaccines. It’s about how we treat and talk about people with disabilities. It’s about whether we choose to build a world that includes and values them or one that pushes them aside. Speaking of which, there has not been an increase in individuals with Autism in our world- they have always been present- they were just previously pushed aside, hidden in institutions, or seen as just different. Not to mention a 5th iteration of the DSM that extends this label to encompass more than each iteration prior…

In the current political climate, we cannot allow fear and misinformation to dictate how we see Autism and the disability community. This rhetoric fuels stigma, reduces funding, and reinforces the idea that Autistic lives are worth less. The Autism community deserves respect, support, and opportunity—not fear-driven narratives that treat them as something to be avoided. We need to push back, change the conversation, and strive to support the full value of every individual.