Autism, RFK Jr., and the Image of God: Why Truth and Love Both Matter

We’ve been wrong before.

For centuries, people believed the Earth was flat. We believed the sun revolved around the Earth. We believed heavier objects fell faster than lighter ones. Until Galileo dropped two weights from a tower and proved otherwise. These weren’t fringe ideas. These were widely accepted  and even taught by the most brilliant thinkers of their day.

But they were wrong.

And when the truth finally broke through, it didn’t just correct a few equations. It changed how we saw the world and our place in it.

I say this because I once believed things that weren’t true.

I thought ADHD was just a lack of discipline or “too much energy.” Kids bouncing off walls, talking too much, needing to just try harder and focus. I thought autism meant something far more tragic. Nonverbal children rocking in the corner, trapped inside their minds, forever dependent. I assumed it had to be caused by something external: poor parenting, bad diet, chemicals in the food, or vaccines. I thought autism was something to fear and to avoid.

But then my daughter was diagnosed.

That moment cracked something open in me. What began as a journey to understand her became the mirror that helped me understand myself. Because I’m not just a dad to autistic kids. I’m autistic too. And I’ve since been diagnosed with ADHD.

And so I write this as a man who has walked both sides: once uninformed, now learning; once fearful, now fathering; once suspicious, now standing on both Scripture and science.

The Claims of RFK Jr.

That’s why I find the claims made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. so troubling. He continues to promote the long-debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. He’s said it publicly for years, and he’s saying it again now as he oversees the Department of Health and Human Services in the U.S.

And I need to say this plainly. Not as a political statement, but as a father, a Christian, and someone who lives in this neurodivergent body every single day:

RFK Jr. is wrong. Dangerously wrong.

And tragic part is that people are listening.

The Science Is Clear

I’m not asking anyone to take my word for it. Let’s go to the data.

In 2019, researchers studied 657,461 children in Denmark. They found no increased risk of autism in children who received the MMR vaccine.

In 2014, a meta-analysis reviewed data from over 1.2 million children across multiple studies. The conclusion? No link between vaccines and autism.

Genetics matter. Over 100 genes have been associated with autism. Studies on identical twins show a 90% concordance rate, while fraternal twins show much less. That’s not random. That’s design.

Brain scans tell the same story. Autistic individuals process the world differently because our brains are wired differently, not incorrectly. Differences in connectivity, early overgrowth in certain regions… These aren’t errors. They’re patterns.

So I’ll say it again:

Autism is not caused by vaccines.

It is not a disease.

It is not a mistake.

It’s a difference.

Not a Tragedy. A Testimony

I have a beautiful family. Two autistic kids. A wife who sees me and loves me. A business. A calling.

I’ve been president of a BNI chapter.

I’ve sat on the board of international associations.

I’m a deacon in my church.

I’ve preached sermons.

I’ve spoken on stages to thousands.

I host a podcast.

And yes, I still stim when I’m overwhelmed.

I wear noise-cancelling headphones in loud places.  I sit in the corner booth at restaurants.

And I absolutely need more recovery time than most people after social events.

But I’m not broken.

I’m not a tragedy.

I’m not the sum of my limitations.

I’m uniquely made.

And so are my kids.

And so are all autistic kids.

The Theology of Neurodiversity 

As Reformed Christians, we believe that every human being is created imago Dei or In the image of God. This isn’t just a poetic phrase. It’s foundational to how we view value, dignity, and purpose. The image of God is not something earned through intellect, or ability, or “normalcy.” It is bestowed by our Creator. It cannot be diminished by disability, diagnosis, or difference.

 “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27

Neurodivergent people, including those with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, or learning disabilities, are not outside the scope of God’s design. They are not mistakes. They are not accidents. They are intentional. Formed. Knit together in their mother’s wombs by the sovereign hand of God.

God’s providence, His wise and purposeful governing of all things,means that no aspect of who we are escapes His plan. That includes our neurology.

The Reformed faith doesn’t shy away from sin and brokenness. We acknowledge the Fall. We understand that sin has marred creation and that we all groan under its weight. But we also recognize that difference is not the same as a defect. Autism isn’t a result of personal sin or divine punishment. It is part of the vast, diverse tapestry of humanity that reflects the creativity and complexity of our Creator.

In fact, those on the margins, those considered “foolish,” “weak,” or “less than” by the world, are often the very people God uses to display His power and glory.

“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”  1 Corinthians 1:27

As members of the covenant community, neurodivergent people are not second-tier. They are covenant children, beloved by God, called to faith, service, worship, and witness. The church must be a place where the stimming child, the overwhelmed adult, the literal thinker, the one who struggles with transitions or communication are seen, welcomed, discipled, and loved.

God equips His people with differing gifts and not all gifts look the same.

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…”  Romans 12:6

To be neurodivergent is not to be outside God’s plan. It may, in fact, be the very means by which He displays His wisdom, confounds human expectations, and builds His Kingdom.

What Needs Fixing

Autism doesn’t need fixing.

But the way society sees autism? That desperately needs a reformation.

What needs fixing is the assumption that being neurotypical is the gold standard.

What needs fixing is the belief that quiet compliance equals maturity.

What needs fixing is the way schools, churches, and workplaces are structured to fit one kind of mind, while expecting everyone else to squeeze themselves into it.

We need to fix systems that reward extroversion but punish sensory sensitivity.

We need to fix education models that prioritize memorization over imagination.

We need to fix churches that equate reverence with silence and overlook the reverence of a flapping child who is praising God in the only way they know how.

We need to stop treating autistic people like broken neurotypicals and start recognizing them as complete individuals, with strengths and weaknesses just like anyone else, and with God-given value regardless of ability.

We also need to stop chasing miracle cures and start investing in real support,things like speech therapy, occupational therapy, communication tools, sensory accommodations, and trauma-informed care. These aren’t signs of failure; they are signs of love.

And we need to fix the way we talk.

We must stop framing autistic people as burdens on families or drains on resources. We must stop defining their lives by what they lack instead of who they are.

In short, we need to move from fear to faith, from fixing to flourishing, and from control to compassion.

The goal is not normalization.

The goal is inclusion, understanding, and support.

The goal is belonging.

And that starts with seeing the image of God in those we so often overlook.

If You’re Still Uncertain…

If you’re a parent hearing this for the first time…

If you’ve shared RFK Jr. clips or still hold onto the fear…

If your first instinct is to defend rather than reflect…

I get it.

I really do.

I was once there too.

And God, in His grace, used my daughter’s diagnosis to tear down falsehood and rebuild truth.

So if you’re open to it, I’m here.

Not to argue.

Not to accuse.

Just to talk. To listen. To share stories. To point to Christ, to Scripture, and to science.

Because in the end, truth matters.

And so does love.