Protect Neurodivergent Residents from Stigmatizing Federal Policy

I’m writing to express deep concern about recent remarks made by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who publicly called autism a “preventable disease” and described autistic children as burdens to their families. This rhetoric is not only factually wrong—it is deeply dangerous. Autism is not a disease. It is a neurotype, a natural variation in human brain wiring. Modern science has shown strong genetic links and neurological patterns—not environmental “toxins” or vaccines. The increase in autism diagnoses is not an epidemic—it’s a reflection of progress in understanding neurodivergence. We’re finally seeing people we used to overlook. As the governor of this state, you have a responsibility to protect and uplift all residents—including neurodivergent people like my children. Secretary Kennedy’s statements threaten the dignity, safety, and well-being of autistic individuals and invite discrimination into our systems. His words echo the logic of eugenics—the idea that some minds or bodies are less valuable than others. That is unacceptable. I urge you to: • Publicly condemn this rhetoric and affirm that autistic people belong in our communities. • Reaffirm your administration’s commitment to evidence-based disability and public health policy. • Ensure our state does not allow federal-level ableism to shape how we treat neurodivergent children and adults. Our communities deserve leadership rooted in science, dignity, and inclusion—not fear.