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Kennedy’s Unsubstantiated Claims Perpetuate a Harmful Stigma around Autism, Ignoring the Autistic Community’s Critical Contributions to Professions like the Law
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 2, 2025 – The National Disabled Legal Professionals Association (“NDLPA”) condemns Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s claims that Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism and that leucovorin, a form of vitamin B, can “treat” autism.
These claims are not substantiated by research. No causal relationship has been established between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism. A number of factors, such as genetics and environment, may impact whether an individual has autism. Placing blame on pregnant people—including disabled pregnant people—for taking one of the only over-the-counter medications for fevers and pain considered safe during pregnancy is unjustified. Further, there is little research on the effectiveness of leucovorin in supporting autistic individuals. Other claims by Secretary Kennedy, such as that vaccines cause autism, are similarly unsubstantiated and put immunocompromised and high risk disabled individuals at risk.
Even more importantly, these claims perpetuate a harmful stigma around autism. Claims that there are ways to prevent or treat autism imply that there is a problem with autistic people’s existence. Make no mistake: This is eugenics in action. Similarly, claims that vaccines cause autism as a method of dissuading vaccination sends the message that individuals would rather their children die of preventable illnesses than be autistic. This follows a pattern of actions by this Administration demonstrating that it would rather disabled people be pushed out of sight and out of mind, including devastating Medicaid cuts, attacks on employment opportunities for disabled people, and incentivizing criminalization of individuals who are unhoused or have psychiatric disabilities.
Autistic people provide a valuable perspective, viewing the world from a different angle and concocting creative solutions. For these reasons, autistic lawyers, judges, paralegals and other professionals are a valuable and integral part of the legal profession. Autistic legal professionals can be passionate, creative, detail-oriented, persistent, clear, and direct. These skills and perspectives are an asset for any legal professional. Neurodiversity contributes greatly to innovation and advancement in every area, including the law.
Instead of making baseless accusations that stigmatize the autistic community, NDLPA urges the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to prioritize issues that actually impact the health and safety of disabled Americans. COVID cases are on the rise, and there still is little research into the effects of long COVID. Despite this reality, Secretary Kennedy has fired the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all members of the CDC vaccine advisory committee, and at least 600 employees at the CDC. Not only has this impacted disabled federal workers who have lost their jobs, but it also places disabled lawyers who must attend work or court in person at risk. Secretary Kennedy has also gutted the HHS Office for Civil Rights, with its future hanging in the balance. For many disabled individuals, experiencing discrimination in health care is quite literally a matter of life or death.
About the National Disabled Legal Professionals Association
The National Disabled Legal Professionals Association (NDLPA) is a national association of disabled lawyers, judges, policy experts, legislators, academics, and other legal workers, professionals, and organizers. NDPLA was founded in 2022 to organize and unify disabled legal professionals into a force for change, and to advocate for and empower disabled legal professionals. NDLPA strives to promote professional growth and opportunity for disabled attorneys and legal professionals; improve access and inclusion in the profession; and ensure access to justice for all.
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Contact Information:
Info@ndlpa.org
(202) 599-0828
Release Date:
October 2, 2025