Secretary Kennedy:

I am writing to address your recent outrageous, demoralizing, inaccurate and downright dehumanizing remarks characterizing the autism population as a hopeless drain on society (“…they’ll never hold a job…..they’ll never pay taxes”). You have recklessly abused the public trust and your position to malign, stigmatize and marginalize this vulnerable population with your misinformation.

In 2000, I founded the first law firm in the nation dedicated to the representation of children diagnosed with autism. To date, my firm has represented more than 1200 children in 30 states and we have helped to establish and implement many of the most significant legal standards enunciated by the U.S. Supreme Court.  I can tell you firsthand that a number of our autism clients have gone on to college, and beyond—more so with every year.

I also serve as the board chair of JobPath, NYC, a not-for-profit founded more than 40 years ago whose mission is to secure and support gainful employment for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. At this very moment, JobPath supports more than 300 tax-paying individuals in a variety of positions of gainful and sustainable employment.

Mr. Secretary, it is not autism that “destroys families.” What is destructive, however, is when families are deprived of the critical resources needed to address their children’s challenges. There certainly is a legitimate need for further scientific research to reveal the causes of autism. However, we cannot afford to lose sight of the fact that we have an entire generation of individuals with autism who work hard and strive to be included as contributing members of society. Your demoralizing, offensive and inaccurate statements have ignited an uproar in the disability community, for which you should be ashamed.

Gary S. Mayerson