There have been some wildly inaccurate claims in the news lately about autism and autistic people. There is a specific political agenda making the case that rates of autism are rising. Further, recent comments from RFK jr. have motivated us to respond and critique his asinine behavior. Autism is part of the human condition. Vaccines don't cause autism. We make an empassioned case against the misinformation ecosystem.

Recommendations

Abraham: Deafheaven - “Lonely People With Power” (https://deafheavens.bandcamp.com/album/lonely-people-with-power)
Shane: Thunderbolts* (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20969586/)
Bonus Recommend: Profound Autism Summit (https://www.profoundautismsummit.org/)

Holidays (5/14/2025):

International Dylan Thomas Day
National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
National Dance Like a Chicken Day
World Stationary Day
International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
Online Romance Day
National Children’s Day in the UK
National Receptionists Day
National Third Shift Workers Day
National Decency Day
Shades Day
Economic Development Week
Food Allergy Awareness Week
Hospital Week

Links and References:

https://www.theautismservice.co.uk/news/the-history-of-autism/#:~:text=Born%20in%20the%20Russian%20Empire,t%20read%20or%20recognise%20faces.
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/the-history-of-autism#:~:text=Kanner%20syndrome,former%20London%20Borough%20of%20Camberwell.
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Autism-History.aspx
https://beyondthespectrummovie.com/a-history-of-autism/#:~:text=Experts%20now%20believe%20that%20humans,with%20autism%20appeared%20circa%201800.
Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55(1), 3–9. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.55.1.3
https://www.factcheck.org/2023/08/scicheck-what-rfk-jr-gets-wrong-about-autism/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Autism Rising