I feel the statement "autistic people will never write a poem" may be trivially true, because (I suspect) many people will never write a poem. The implication that this is invalid or wrong is perverse. And the fact that now we have to argue for the dignity of autistic people by saying that there are autistic poets is also non-sensical.<p>These are all cruel suggestions about people, we should challenge why RFK makes statements like this. Not take them at face value, as if they merit being answered.
RFK never said or implied that all people with autism are non-functional in important areas. It's true that a significant number are, and it's really strange and perhaps cruel to see people trying to erase that. And it doesn't make it less of an issue to address even if some of those people write poetry.
Of course RFK was wrong. You think people with disabilities don't make art? It is an absurd statement on its face, and he did nothing to supply any evidence he was correct.<p>Autistic folks have been with us forever, we're just way way better at finding and supporting them now.
The autism epidemic in Cali that George WBush attempted to investigate is exactly what made silicon valley exist. Autism should not be viewed as a negative. In the new tech economy aspergers is a huge benefit.<p><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/autism-data-visualization-tool.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/autism-data-visuali...</a><p>Also interesting to note because of RFK jr context. Notice Georgia(56.9% vaccinated) and Tennesseeeseee(56.1% vaccinated) as hotspots for autism. While Kentucky isnt a hot spot and is 73.1% routine vaccinated. This is anti-correlative to vaccines causing autism.<p>My Poem(downvote me if it sucks):<p>Georgia stands at 56,<p>Tennessee just barely 56,<p>Yet Kentucky, in the heat,<p>Boasts 73 is no small feat.<p>If vaccines brought harm, the trend would show,<p>But higher rates see no such blow,<p>The vaccine myth falls flat,<p>No link from science, just fears.
> As an autistic English professor who studies literature and neurodiversity, I was especially unnerved by Kennedy’s contention that many autistic people will never write poetry.<p>> It couldn’t be further from the truth.<p>Screw this English professor with autism - RFK's comments are literally correct if you read them. Many autistic people like my child will never <i>speak</i>, he's not talking about English professors with level 1 autism. Stop ignoring those of us with much greater challenges, it's so condescending.