RFK Jr.'s statements on rise of reported autism cases in US has Virginia mother concerned

ARLINGTON, Va. (7News) — A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows rising rates of autism in American children, with one in 31 eight-year-olds being diagnosed.

"It's clear that the rates are real, that they're increasing in the last 10 years," said Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Arlington mother Teresa Green does not deny the rise, but said Kennedy's approach to finding a root cause of the disorder and characterization of children with autism has her concerned.

"These are kids who will never pay taxes, they'll never hold a job, they'll never play baseball, they'll never write a poem, they'll never go out on a date," Kennedy said.

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"I'm a mom of two autistic kids who also has autism, and so I feel hurt by the words personally," said Green. "I think they are devaluing the worth of my kids and all kids who have autism."

In addition to amassing records of children with autism and aiming to find a cause by September, Kennedy also announced the directive to explore the impact of "environmental exposures," including everything from mold to obesity.

"This epidemic denial has become a feature in the mainstream media, and it's based on an industry canard," said Kennedy. "Obviously, there are people who don't want us to look at environmental exposures."

The executive director of the Arc of Virginia said a number of potential factors could be behind the rise in autism diagnoses.

"The numbers have increased," said Tonya Milling. "That is not untrue by any means, and I do think that a lot of that is increased awareness, changes to the diagnoses, expanding definitions, things like that, but it doesn't mean that there's not also something going on."

"That all needs to be approached cautiously and genuinely, and through the lens of science and evidence-based practices," Milling added.

"RFK Jr, if you're listening, take what I think is a sincere concern for children and families who are struggling with autism and trust the experts and the scientists that you have on staff at the CDC who have been doing this research for decades," said Green.