Recently, there was an assertion by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggesting a lack of elderly people with advanced autism, which he used to prop up his refuted theory about vaccines. As mothers residing in the Bay Area and raising children diagnosed with autism, we are no strangers to such misconceptions. These misleading claims go beyond just being erroneous; they pose a serious risk. The truth is, severe autism has been present all through history. However, in the decades of the 1950s and 60s, the understanding of autism was so limited that diagnoses were sparse, misdiagnoses common, and institutionalization was frequent.
Consequently, if Kennedy did not encounter peers needing substantial support during his adolescence, it’s not a reflection of their non-existence, but rather their invisibility within society. It’s vital to note that autism was not added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders until the 1980s. Prior to this shift, children now recognized to be on the severe end of the autism spectrum were often incorrectly labeled as schizophrenic or cognitively impaired.
Such incorrect diagnoses led these individuals to be relegated to state-operated institutions, often for their entire lives. When these institutions began to diminish in the late 20th century, people suffering from severe autism were not readily incorporated into our communities. Many were moved into poorly funded group homes, shuffled within the system, or abandoned to the harsh reality of life on the streets.
In 1975, the enactment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandated public schools to provide education for children with disabilities, inclusive of autism. Regrettably, this did not ensure full integration of all affected children into general education classrooms. The segregation was perhaps even more pronounced in the private settings where Kennedy may have studied. To this day, a significant number of students with severe autism do not participate in mainstream educational environments. For people outside the narrow circle of teachers, specialists, or parents, interactions with these individuals could be almost non-existent.
And what has become of these individuals in adulthood—the older adults, who Kennedy inaccurately claimed to be rare sightings in public spaces? Many of them reside in supportive housing facilities, while some are cared for by their ageing parents who are anxiously trying to secure their future. Heartbreakingly, a sizable proportion have prematurely passed away after enduring years of improper medical care.
Sadly, due to rampant misdiagnoses in the past, many received unnecessary psychiatric medications, causing further harm. The lack of adequate care and rampant institutional abuse, coupled with individuals falling through systemic cracks, led to tragic outcomes. To speculate that the ‘absence’ of these individuals in current public spaces proves that autism is a recent development is not merely uninformed, but indeed callous.
We refuse to overlook harsh realities. Here is one hard truth: the systemic shortcomings that let down those with autism five decades ago continue to be just as prevalent today. If Kennedy truly wishes to impact change, his focus should be on advocating for improved services for ageing adults with autism and genuine support mechanisms for their families.
Peddling falsehoods and espousing conspiracy theories serve no benefit to anyone. Autism is not a modern-era invention, nor has its prevalence suddenly increased. What has changed is the recognition, with more people finally being acknowledged for who they are, rather than being hidden away and ignored.
The post The Hidden History of Autism: Misunderstood and Misdiagnosed appeared first on Real News Now.
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