In April 2025, Dr. David Ruttenberg contributed to the national conversation on autism through opinion pieces published in the The New York Times and the Miami Herald. In these articles, he critically examined public claims made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. These claims framed autism as an “epidemic.”

Dr. Ruttenberg argued that such rhetoric is both scientifically inaccurate and socially harmful. He noted that it perpetuates stigma and undermines decades of progress in understanding autism as a spectrum of neurodevelopmental differences. Drawing on his expertise in cognitive neuroscience and his lived experience as a parent, he emphasized the importance of evidence-based and compassionate discourse. He also advocated for a shift in public conversation toward inclusion, dignity, and meaningful investment in supports and policies. These efforts, he argued, are essential to improving quality of life for autistic individuals and their families.

Ruttenberg, D. (2025, April 24). Opinion: Kennedy’s Dangerous Autism Claims. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/opinion/kennedy-autism.html
Ruttenberg, D. (2025, April 18). Opinion: RFK Jr.’s Claims About Autism Being an ‘Epidemic’ Are Harmful. The Miami Herald. https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article304284081.html