Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on August 26 that his department is on track to identify interventions “almost certainly causing autism” and potential ways to address them by September.
Kennedy had previously pledged to uncover the root causes of rising autism rates, describing it as an “epidemic” that surpasses even the scale of COVID-19.
During a Cabinet meeting on August 26, President Trump requested an update on Kennedy’s efforts. Kennedy assured him that progress is being made and that specific measures will be unveiled in September.
Autism diagnoses are on the rise, and while that might sound alarming, it’s not necessarily a sign that autism itself is becoming more common. What’s likely changed is our awareness. Improved screening tools and broader understanding have helped more people receive the diagnoses they might have missed years ago, especially those from historically underdiagnosed groups like Black and Hispanic children.
Since 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data show a steady increase in reported cases. So, are we seeing more autism, or just finally noticing it in places we hadn’t before? Click through the gallery to find out.