US health secretary bucks expert opinion as research shows rise in diagnoses due to better tools and screening
Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr said in his first press conference that the significant and recent rise in autism diagnoses is evidence of an “epidemic” caused by an “environmental toxin”, which would be rooted out by September.
Autism advocates and health experts have repeatedly stated the rise in diagnoses is related to better recognition of the condition, changing diagnostic criteria and better access to screening. Many also reject the label of an “epidemic”, arguing that neurodivergence should be valued.
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