Correcting the Record: Autism and the American Promise

By Susan Brownknight, CEO, Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled (LADD)

As a leader in the disability community and someone who supports hundreds of people with disabilities across Hamilton County, I feel compelled to respond to recent remarks by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In a press conference last week, Secretary Kennedy claimed that today’s autistic children “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.”

These statements are not only inaccurate—they are profoundly dehumanizing.

There’s a saying in the autism community: “Once you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” It reflects a simple truth: autism is a spectrum. No two people experience it the same way. To reduce millions of Americans to a list of limitations is not only wrong—it betrays the foundational American value of individual dignity.

Autism is not a tragedy. It is a difference. And like all differences, it brings its own gifts, challenges, and potential. The 5.4 million adults in the U.S. on the autism spectrum are artists, neighbors, taxpayers, voters, employees, and friends. They are full participants in our society—when given the chance. Here in Cincinnati, we’ve made real strides in creating that opportunity. Our corporate community has become a national leader in inclusive hiring, with companies like P&G and Fifth Third Bank ensuring people with disabilities are hired, promoted, and respected as valuable team members. The OTR International Film Festival—led by the disability community—has become a beacon of inclusive storytelling. City Council has mandated accessible bathrooms at all city-sponsored events. And in neighborhoods across the region, the people LADD supports are welcomed as neighbors, friends, and contributors to community life.

Inclusion is not theoretical here—it’s lived. From sensory-friendly concerts at Music Hall to fully accessible Reds games and a Baseball Hall of Fame that celebrates accessibility, Cincinnati shows what’s possible when a community commits to belonging.

We’re also fortunate to have bipartisan champions like State Senator Bill Blessing (R), State Representative Jean Schmidt (R), and County Commissioners Alicia Reece and Denise Driehaus (D), who listen when people with disabilities speak—and who have taken action to expand access to affordable, accessible housing.

We welcome Secretary Kennedy’s support for research. But his remarks are not just factually incorrect—they’re damaging. Every day, I witness people on the spectrum thriving. They are not exceptions to a rule. They are the rule—when given support, respect, and opportunity.

One man we support writes poetry inspired by the Beatles, classic cars, and everyday beauty. Another, Matt, was recently elected to his HOA board, thanks to his passion for mailbox regulations and community standards. James, a warmhearted man with a steady job, is a devoted boyfriend to the love of his life. These stories are not outliers—they are testaments to what happens when we replace stigma with support.

This moment calls not just for correction, but for education. We must build a future that celebrates neurodiversity and rejects the outdated notion that disability equals deficiency. Anything less doesn’t just fail autistic people—it fails the American promise of liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness for all.