'I Have Autism And I'm Not Broken': Princeton Student Challenges RFK Jr.'s Claims

PRINCETON, NJ - U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has attracted notice as well as outrage for remarks about autism. In a recent speech, he said "autism destroys families," and is an "individual tragedy as well."

But one 4th grader from Princeton is challenging RFK's unfounded claims.

During the last Board of Education meeting, 4th grader Teddy went up to the microphone and addressed the Health Secretary's claims.

"Recently, the U.S. secretary of health, RFK Jr., made false comments about autism like people with autism are broken, that autism is caused by vaccines, and that people with autism will never have jobs or families. But that's not true. I have autism and I'm not broken, and I hope that nobody in PPS believes RFK Jr.'s lies," Teddy said.

The student then addressed the BOE and administrators saying that autism and all disabilities should be taught in the PPS curriculum at all grade levels "because it will raise awareness, increase acceptance, and improve the quality of life for kids with disabilities."

"PPS already recognizes Autism Awareness Month. But not much. There are posters in the cafeteria that say to be kind and inclusive. Students wear blue on April 2nd. But we are never taught about the spectrum of autism," Teddy said.

"Kids need to be taught more about the different kinds of autism, that autism is a natural variation in the genes that you are born with (not caused by vaccines), and about successful people with autism. The lessons should also be extended to other 'disabilities' like ADHD, cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, dyslexia, apraxia, and more."

During a Washington, D.C. press conference last month, Kennedy pointed to a CDC report revealing that autism now affects 1 in 31 U.S. 8-year-olds—a rise since 2020.

He also claimed that kids with autism 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 out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted."

Kennedy's claims received pushback from health experts and advocates who called his statements scientifically baseless and harmful.

The Autism Society of America called Kennedy's claim "harmful, misleading, and unrealistic."

"Autism is a complex developmental disability shaped by genetic, biological, and environmental factors. It is neither a chronic illness nor a contagion that qualifies harmful language like 'epidemic,' and to do so is both inaccurate and stigmatizing. Autistic individuals are human beings who deserve dignity, respect, and equitable civil rights. Leading disability organizations, the scientific community, and medical experts agree: more rigorous, science-based research is necessary, not speculation, oversimplified timelines, or diminished transparency," the ASA said.

The 4th grader's speech moved many to tears. He said it was important for students and teachers to know more about disabilities so they do not believe RFK Jr., and they treat people with autism "in a way that is good for the kid."

"I want everyone to know that people with autism and other disabilities are not tragedies, but just different, like all people," Teddy said."If everyone understood more about autistic people, and about people with other disabilities, they would know more about how to treat them, what their lives are like, and that they don't need to be fixed or cured."

Although he is just 9 years old, Teddy made some suggestions to the BOE that could help students with autism.

"Adding disabilities to kids' education will make them knowledgeable and compassionate, and help kids with disabilities to lead lives of joy and purpose," he said.

Board president Dafna Kendal, moved by Teddy's words, asked him to email the speech to administrators so they could post it on the district's website.

You can watch Teddy’s speech here:

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