Privacy and Security in an Era of Autism Hostility

In light of recent political statements on autism, I would like to make clear my stance on neurodiversity and privacy. 

It is my firm belief based on research, clinical experience, and personal experience, that autism is not a disorder, but a neurotype that occurs organically. It is written into DNA, has a strong genetic component, and is not caused by external variables like vaccines, food, or parenting [1, 2, 3]. The increased rate of autism diagnosis in recent years does not represent increased prevalence, but instead represents improved understanding of the varied ways that autism presents across individuals and populations, as well as improvements in identification. 

Neurodiversity is beneficial to the human race, not detrimental. Instead of researching ways to prevent and eradicate forms of neurodivergence, science and the field of mental health should seek to support neurodivergent individuals in living lives of meaning and fulfillment. Erasing neurodivergence would also erase huge contributions to innovation, creativity, and different ways of thinking and problem-solving, which would be a detriment to all of humanity. 

Understanding one’s own neurotype should be accessible to all as a way to deepen self compassion, tailor accommodations to meet unique needs, create more supportive environments, and address personal, interpersonal, and systemic barriers to what we each want and deserve in our lives. It is my goal as a provider to make that understanding more accessible and mitigate the political and cultural factors that are currently creating fear and apprehension around doing so. 

All individuals have a right to the privacy of their medical records and have a choice in who to disclose aspects of their identity to. I do not in any way support a national registry of autistic individuals against their will and am protective of my clients’ records as my legal and ethical standards, as well as my personal values, mandate. Please schedule a free consultation with me if you would like to know more about the ways that I protect the privacy of those I work with. 

Citations

[1] Public Health On Call. (2025, March 19). The evidence on vaccines and autism. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/the-evidence-on-vaccines-and-autism

[2] LeGare, J. (2025, March 24). Autism-vaccine link debunked. Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/autism-vaccine-link-debunked

[3] Tanne J. H. (2002). MMR vaccine is not linked with autism, says Danish study. BMJ : British Medical Journal, 325(7373), 1134.