Recently, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made startlingly insensitive and just plain wrong statements about people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Kennedy claimed that most cases of ASD are now severe and that the condition “destroys families.” This was an absurd claim without an ounce of truth.

He went on to state, “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 on a date.” It is really quite remarkable that the individual given the utmost responsibility of protecting the health of our nation would make such vicious remarks. Though, Kennedy’s words seem to fit right into his narrative about diseases and disorders, and Autism particularly.

Having spent a long career working with individuals with disabilities, I can attest to the fact that Autism does not relegate a child to a life of insignificance. Yes, children on the Autism Spectrum have unique and different behaviors and abilities but, like me, Kennedy should celebrate those differences and practice inclusion. It is our responsibility as members of this vast national community to include everyone. And, most importantly, to provide evidence-based health information, not destructive rhetoric.

As to his claims of a meaningless life for children with Autism, the following diagnosed or self-admitted, might beg to differ; poet Emily Dickinson, professional baseball player Tarik El-Abour, actor Anthony Hopkins, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, musicians Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Bob Dylan, not to mention the world’s richest man, Elon Musk.